❓ A WA parliamentary question on notice regarding a $12 million reduction in funding for Stage 3 of the Carnarvon Community College build, seeking explanation for the budget change and potential impacts on the project's scope and quality control.
AnsweredQoN 4021Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
In the 2018/19 Budget handed down in 2018, the total allocation for Stage 3 of the build for Carnarvon Community College has been reduced by $12 million (from $38.55m to $26.55m) without any explanation being offered, and I ask: (a) what is the explanation for the 30 percent drop between the budgeted $38.55m, evidently contained in a Business Case prepared between May and October 2016 and the current figures; (b) has the scope of the project changed in any way between the 2016 project (ie the subject of the business case) and the current project under construction; (c) was any adjustment to the project made based on any decline in the number of students enrolments; (d) if there have been no changes to scope or size, when and by whom was the decision made to reduce the scope or size; (e) if there have been changes in scope or size, what facilities or capacity have been excluded or reduced by the changes; (f) if there have been no changes to scope or size, what errors were made in the original Business Case to so grossly overestimate the project cost; (g) on what date or over what period did the Department of Education (DoE) or the Department of Finance (DoF) become aware of the reduced cost for the project; (h) how have any changes been communicated to the College and community; (i) suggestions were made during the consultation process of stage 3 to incorporate cost saving and additional spaces but the suggestions were declined, will these requests now be accommodated and, if not, why not; and (j) given stage 2 of the project has had defects which where not detected at all by DoE or DoF inspections, what improvements will be made to the Government's inspection regime for Stage 3 to ensure value for taxpayer's money?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
16 October 2018
Responded by
Minister representing the Minister for Education and Training
Response time
8 days
(a)–(i) Stage 1 of the works at Carnarvon Community College, additional primary facilities, were completed in January 2014 at a cost of $8.8 million. Stage 2, finalising the new primary facilities, was completed in December 2017. This included three teaching blocks, administration, refurbished classroom block and cafeteria. Stage 2 also included sewerage works that were initially planned for delivery in Stage 3. The budget for this stage was $17.6 million. Stage 3, new secondary facilities, is under construction and is due to be completed in April 2019. Stage 3 includes a sports hall, performing arts, science, food technology and IT block and classroom block, as well as general refurbishments. The budget for Stage 3 is $26.55 million.
A favourable tender process for the final stage of development for the Carnarvon Community College resulted in a reduction of funding for the project in the 2018-19 budget. The project scope has not changed from the original business case. The Department of Education became aware of the savings in December 2017, following the tender assessment for Stage 3. No request was given to increase the scope as the full scope detailed in the business case was provided.
(j) Stage 2 is still within the 12-month defects liability period. Stage 3 is currently under construction, with the project to be completed June 2019. The scope for Carnarvon College was detailed in the Business Case and reflect the facilities a school of this size requires. There has been no change to the scope during the project. Discussion during the consultation phase for Stage 3 was focused to ensure that work was consistent with the scope. It was not anticipated during these discussions (prior to the tender phase) that there would be any savings. Following the closure of the tender process the school was not advised of the savings and only became aware following the release of the budget papers. At this time there were suggestions of additional work that could be incorporated into the project. As there was no funding available these suggestions for additional scope have not been considered.”
A favourable tender process for the final stage of development for the Carnarvon Community College resulted in a reduction of funding for the project in the 2018-19 budget. The project scope has not changed from the original business case. The Department of Education became aware of the savings in December 2017, following the tender assessment for Stage 3. No request was given to increase the scope as the full scope detailed in the business case was provided.
(j) Stage 2 is still within the 12-month defects liability period. Stage 3 is currently under construction, with the project to be completed June 2019. The scope for Carnarvon College was detailed in the Business Case and reflect the facilities a school of this size requires. There has been no change to the scope during the project. Discussion during the consultation phase for Stage 3 was focused to ensure that work was consistent with the scope. It was not anticipated during these discussions (prior to the tender phase) that there would be any savings. Following the closure of the tender process the school was not advised of the savings and only became aware following the release of the budget papers. At this time there were suggestions of additional work that could be incorporated into the project. As there was no funding available these suggestions for additional scope have not been considered.”
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