Page 2048 - Week 06 - Tuesday, 4 June 2019
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Additionally, the government has allocated funding for school expansions and upgrades across Gungahlin, Belconnen and the inner north, as well as planning and feasibility studies for schools right across the city.
MS CHEYNE: How do these budget-funded initiatives meet the needs of families in Gungahlin, given it is one of the fastest growing regions in Australia?
MS BERRY: Thank you for the supplementary, Ms Cheyne. In Throsby, the new primary school, which will be opened by 2022, will cater to 450 students from kindergarten to year 6 and up to 132 preschool students, with space for future growth. High quality learning environments incorporating both indoor and outdoor learning spaces, as well as integrated spaces to support students with specialised needs, will be provided at this modern and sustainable facility. Members will know from the announcements that I have made that the government is leading by example by delivering carbon neutral, environmentally sustainable educational facilities.
In Kenny, the new high school will cater to around 800 students from years 7 to 10, with room for temporary expansion to accommodate more places if they are required. It is planned to open in the 2023 school year. The government has not only funded planning and design for the school but also made a capital provision so that we are ready to fund construction as the project advances. At Franklin Early Childhood School, the government is growing its capacity to 600 students from kindergarten to year 6, in addition to existing early childhood offerings, delivering on its election commitment.
We will also increase the capacity of Gold Creek School senior campus, delivering 200 extra places by the beginning of the 2022 year. The government is also investing in flexible, high quality transportable buildings that can be moved to where they are needed most. Gungahlin College will also benefit from 200 additional places alongside upgraded facilities to accommodate more staff and deliver new specialist science teaching facilities.
MS CODY: Minister, how do these initiatives demonstrate a clear plan for the future in other growth areas of our city?
MS BERRY: I thank Ms Cody for the supplementary question. As I announced this week, the government is doing the work and making the required investments to plan for increasing need for government schools. As suburbs move through their life cycle, student numbers tend to rise and fall. New schools are built with the ability to be scaled up and later scaled down. We will deliver new and expanded schools where and when they are required. A bit like a baby bear’s porridge, the government will do it efficiently, delivering the right mix of permanent and temporary accommodation at the right time.
An additional 350 places through transportable classrooms will become available across the city, with buildings initially being provided for Lyneham High School and Hawker primary school, as well as Gungahlin College. Transportable learning spaces today are open, spacious, comfortable and exciting learning environments. They are
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