Wednesday, 30 October 2019

Donald High School

Ms STALEY (Ripon) (19:08): (1370) My adjournment matter is directed to the Minister for Education, and the action I seek is that he urgently provides an additional $850 000 to Donald High School to pour a new concrete slab to complete stage 2 of their building works. My colleague the Shadow Minister for Education and I recently visited Donald High School. The school is undertaking a significant two-stage renovation and construction project. The funds they have received for these building works are not sufficient to finish the project properly.

The builder completing the project has recommended that a new concrete slab be used rather than the partial replacement of already rotting timber stumps and framing. A new concrete slab has been quoted as costing an additional $850 000, which the project does not have. Donald is well-known for significant termite activity; the town is riddled with them. It makes absolutely no sense only to do a partial replacement of the rotting timber. When stage 1 of the project was completed, the builder took the opportunity to pour a concrete slab. The condition of the existing stumps was so degraded that partial replacement was not an option. The school trusts the advice provided by the builder, and the school does not want to mask current problems for the next generation to fix.

The renovation and construction project has faced considerable delays. Whilst it was supposed to be completed by December 2019, that is now very unlikely. Having been at the school last week, I can tell you that there is a gaping hole where stage 2 of the project should be. The school community and broader Donald community is frustrated that, because poor planning by the department means insufficient funds have been made available to finish the project, the project has not been able to be delivered on time.

Decent, functional schools with committed teachers and high standards deliver the quality education country children need to succeed in life. Donald High School is a tremendous school that provides for a marvellous country community. They deserve to be on equal footing with their city counterparts.