Page 4832 - Week 11 - Thursday, 21 October 2010
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In addition, the complaints that have bedevilled BER projects across other parts of Australia have been largely absent in the ACT, thanks to the genuine consultation undertaken with school principals, parents and citizens councils and school boards in the lead-up to these projects being undertaken.
The ACT’s success in this area is attributable to key policy decisions that we made at the beginning of the program. Templates and prefabricated buildings were not used. De-scoping was not used to control costs. A consultant was employed to ensure that environmentally sustainable initiatives were included in every project. We slashed planning red tape. All of these things contributed to our success. BER has been a significant part of the largest investment in school infrastructure in the history of the Australian Capital Territory. And it supported the territory through the global recession and provided hundreds of jobs.
When I became education minister in 2006, there were thousands of empty desks across the territory. The government undertook the largest education reforms this territory has seen—and we are now able to build brand-new schools where they are needed most. I would like to update the Assembly on the progress of these new schools.
Gungahlin college is being built in the Gungahlin town centre. The college will cater for 900 students in years 11 and 12. It will provide a 21st century teaching and learning experience for staff and students. This complex, with an investment of more than $70 million, will include a Canberra Institute of Technology flexible learning centre, a joint college-community library, a gymnasium and a performing arts centre. The college is aiming to achieve a five-star green star rating from the Green Building Council of Australia. The college will have best practice education facilities, such as flexible learning hubs, a media centre with television and photography studios, a performing arts theatre comprising dance and drama studios, leading music and arts facilities, a mechatronics suite, a computer networking laboratory, a full commercial kitchen, and wireless technology throughout the school.
Substantial progress was made on the construction of the college hubs and other buildings during the most recent financial year. Completed works include the thermal labyrinth tunnel, which uses air flows to heat and cool the school, saving on their energy bills. The college hubs and performing arts building have been completed, with internal fit-out now well underway. The visual arts building, gymnasium, community library and CIT learning centre are close to completion, with concrete slabs, structural steel work and roof sheeting completed. A temporary principal’s office has been established in the Marketplace shopping centre, adjacent to the college site. Prospective students, parents and the Gungahlin community can enrol at this office and get more information about the college. The college will open on time for the start of the 2011 school year.
The new P-10 school in Kambah will cater for 900 students from preschool to year 10 and open in 2011 for preschool to year 7 students. Like Gungahlin, Kambah is aiming to achieve a five-star green star rating from the Green Building Council of Australia. Substantial progress was made on the construction of the new school buildings during the financial year. Completed works include the installation of in-ground hydraulic
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