GOVERNMENT’S COMMITMENT TO NEW SCHOOLS GOING STRONG

Minister for Education and Training, Andrew Barr, today said the planning and development work on the new Gungahlin College and the new West Belconnen P-10 school was well underway, with new phases of the construction of both schools about to begin.

Mr Barr said tenders have been called for a consultancy to undertake the master planning for a new senior secondary college in Gungahlin, and for a project manager for the new west Belconnen School.

“The tender for the appointment of a project manager for west Belconnen appears in today’s Canberra Times and signifies that construction of the new school for west Belconnen, scheduled to commence in September 2007 is imminent,” Mr Barr said.

“The school, to be built on the former Ginninderra District High School site, is to cater for preschool to year 10 students when it opens in 2009 and is part of the Stanhope Government’s commitment to renewing our schools.

“The design of the school has been developed through a design working group that includes representation from many stakeholders including representatives from the ACT Principals’ Association; Canberra Preschool Society; ACT Parents and Citizens Council; the Holt and Higgins school and preschool communities; the Belconnen Community Council; the Australian Education Union; Community and Public Sector Union and ACT Canteen Association.”

Mr Barr said last week tenders were called for a consultancy to undertake the master planning for a new senior secondary college in Gungahlin, on a site adjacent to the Gungahlin Town Centre.

The master planning study will examine the feasibility of incorporating facilities for Canberra Institute of Technology (CIT) students, thereby creating a joint campus with the new college,” Mr Barr said.

“The facilities being planned for the college will include a theatre and a gymnasium designed to cater for community use after college hours. The master planning study will also consider the co-location of a range of sporting and other facilities for the community on the site, which may also include a community library.”

Mr Barr said in undertaking the master planning study, consultation with the community will occur to ensure that the best possible outcomes for the community can be achieved.