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House of Assembly - Fifty-Fifth Parliament, First Session (55-1)
2024-04-11 Daily Xml
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Public Works Committee: Port Augusta Technical College

Mr BROWN (Florey) (11:45): I move:

That the 59th report of the committee, entitled Port Augusta Technical College, be noted.

The Department for Education proposes to construct a new technical college to be co-located with Port Augusta Secondary School. The project will form part of this government's commitment to establish five technical colleges by 2026 with a main aim to provide a pipeline of skilled workers for entry-level jobs in key industries with the greatest demand. They are designed to modernise senior secondary school and deliver a practical-based learning program that includes technical, literacy and numeracy skills, in line with industry need.

Each college will be tailored to the needs of its local industry, region and community to ensure meaningful pathways from education to work. Catering for students from years 10 to 12 in conjunction with nearby high schools, the colleges will allow students to complete their SACE while obtaining trade qualifications.

Port Augusta Technical College will provide a modern educational environment for students undertaking vocational education. This technical college will also provide overnight short-stay accommodation so students across the Upper Spencer Gulf region can readily access the education and training. This model, supported by accommodation, will mean greater access to industry training for students to transition into employment in the region.

The college will consist of learning environments for key industry specialisations, such as hospitality and tourism, building and construction, civil resources and infrastructure, and health and social support. The subjects will be run in conjunction with the secondary school and complement the suite of learning programs and pathways already available, providing alternative training and education opportunities.

It will be accessible to students from public, independent and Catholic schools throughout the Upper Spencer Gulf region while completing their SACE at their home school. Students will access the programs on a part-time basis in block weeks. Those living nearby will be able to travel to the college daily, while overnight short-stay accommodation will be available for up to 45 students living further afield.

The key aims of the project are to provide a contemporary, environmentally sustainable technical college which incorporates new technology to support vocational education and training; to create an adaptable, innovative learning environment that is responsive to future opportunities; to deliver technical and employability skills as part of a senior secondary program that includes vocational qualifications in a state-of-the-art facility, ensuring that all students complete their SACE; and, lastly, to develop creative and flexible learning spaces that are specifically designed for workplace and industry environments.

Port Augusta Technical College has been designed with its unique regional context in mind, influenced by the surrounding landscape and its historical past. This is represented by several features, including a sawtooth roof line that pays homage to the town's factory buildings, an aluminium blue facade on the first floor inspired by Port Augusta's historical bridges and a large sand dune facade that emerges from the ground along the Augusta Highway which recalls the landforms of the Flinders Ranges in form and colour. The interior of the building has been designed with the aim of ultimate flexibility that allows for both quiet and practical learning as well as socialising through a diversity of spaces.

At an estimated cost of $38.5 million, construction is proposed to be delivered in a single stage, including earthworks, building and associated works. With completion expected in May 2025, the intention is that the technical college will be operational from semester 2, 2025. Once open, the college can cater for 100 students on site at any one time, with an anticipated 200 full-time equivalent enrolments per year. Construction will be located away from the main entrance points of the existing secondary school, meaning staff and students will not be impacted during construction.

The Department for Education confirms that the project will follow best practice principles for project procurement and management as advocated by the state government and construction industry authorities. The preparation of a project program that reflects the scope and requirements will allow the department to meet project objectives, with progress regularly monitored and strategies adopted to address variances.

A risk assessment has been carried out and determined there is a medium range of risk. There is known contaminated fill existing on the site, which needs to be considered and appropriately addressed. Additionally, the proposed college site serves as a retention basin for stormwater originating both onsite and offsite. It is proposed that the basin will be relocated as part of the landscape design, and a stormwater management plan has been submitted to the Port Augusta City Council. The department states that the Department for Infrastructure and Transport is providing full risk management services throughout the project at design, cost, procurement and construction stages.

Environmentally sustainable design principles have been adopted to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. These measures include an all-electric building with provision for photovoltaic cells for onsite energy production, a passive design and a high-performing facade to minimise heating and cooling loads, and opportunities for occupant-controlled natural ventilation.

A search of the SA Heritage Places Database through the Department for Environment and Water confirms there are no state or local heritage places or contributory heritage items on site. There are no entries for Aboriginal sites within the area as determined by the Central Archive, which includes the Register of Aboriginal Sites and Objects. The commonwealth Native Title Act confirms that native title has been extinguished on the site.

The department affirms that the school's principal, governing council, school staff and education director have been kept informed of the development and scope of the works, as well as any associated works regarding the Port Augusta Secondary School. The department confirms that care has been taken to consult and inform on progress to ensure the needs of all stakeholders have been considered.

The committee has examined written and oral evidence in relation to the Port Augusta Technical College project. Witnesses who appeared before the committee were: Helen Doyle, the Director, Capital Projects and Technical Services, Department for Education; John Harrison, Director, Building Projects, Department for Infrastructure and Transport; and Philippe Naudin, the Principal and Studio Lead, ARM Architecture. I thank the witnesses for their time. I would also like to thank the member for Stuart for the written statement supporting the project in his electorate.

Based upon the evidence considered, and pursuant to section 12C of the Parliamentary Committees Act 1991, the Public Works Committee reports to parliament that it recommends the proposed public work.

Motion carried.

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