Margaret River Senior High School
489. Hon Dr Brian Walker to the Leader of the House representing the Minister for Education:
Acknowledging the $30 million committed as part of STEM subject facilities at Margaret River Senior High School, I refer the minister to the Cook Labor government's commitment to provide a further $30 million in funding to build and renovate arts and humanities classrooms, woodwork and metalwork rooms, and other facilities.
(1) When will the outstanding $24 million commitment be honoured, acknowledging the $6 million allocated to renovate the school oval?
(2) Which parts of the planned works, if any, does the government now propose to defer or defund, given that it has been at least three years since the second $30 million commitment was made, and rising prices suggest that something more akin to $50 million would now be needed to complete all aspects?
(3) Has the Department of Education investigated claims by the president of the school board that the wood and metal shop rooms in particular are "verging on unsafe" and, if so, what recommendations emerged from any such investigation?
Hon Stephen Dawson replied:
I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question.
(1) The state government has delivered on its existing infrastructure commitments for Margaret River Senior High School. A $30 million upgrade was completed in 2020, which provided additional capacity for 550 students. This included a new double-storey classroom block with 16 general classrooms, a new double-storey science block with five laboratories, a new sports hall, an extension to the administration and student services block, and other additions and upgrades. A further $6.27 million upgrade was delivered in 2022, which included a new sports oval, playing courts, practice nets and equipment storage facilities.
(2) Not applicable.
(3) The health and safety of students and staff is paramount and the Department of Education responds to critical safety issues when public schools fulfil their responsibility to report any faults or breakdowns.
