Wendy Duncan questions the Minister for Education and Training about the overlooked upgrade of Esperance Residential College, given its overcrowding and importance for isolated students. The Minister acknowledges the need for improvement but cites budget priorities and suggests alternative boarding facilities.

AnsweredQoN 435Legislative Council
Asked
13 May 2008
Portfolio
Education and Training

QuestionView source ↗

ESPERANCE RESIDENTIAL COLLEGE — UPGRADE
Given that Esperance Residential College was designed for 80 students and currently accommodates 100 students from areas as far afield as Eucla, Leinster, Norseman and Ravensthorpe, and has been forced to turn students away — (1) Why has the college’s $13 million upgrade again been overlooked in the budget? (2) When is funding likely to be made available? (3) Where are isolated students from the south east, Nullabor and goldfields regions expected to stay for their secondary education? (4) Is the Minister for Education and Training prepared to visit the Esperance Residential College to inspect the conditions under which these students are currently living? Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH

AnswerView source ↗

I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The government has given priority to other capital projects which were presented for funding in 2008-09. (2) The next opportunity when projects will be considered for funding is next year’s budget. (3) The Merredin Residential College is the next nearest boarding facility for students from the goldfields and the Nullabor. For students living to the west of Esperance, the next nearest residential colleges are Katanning and Albany. (4) The Minister for Education and Training visited the Esperance Residential College in 2007 and is aware of provisions for the students in residence and aspects needing improvement.
(1) Why has the college’s $13 million upgrade again been overlooked in the budget? (2) When is funding likely to be made available? (3) Where are isolated students from the south east, Nullabor and goldfields regions expected to stay for their secondary education? (4) Is the Minister for Education and Training prepared to visit the Esperance Residential College to inspect the conditions under which these students are currently living? Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The government has given priority to other capital projects which were presented for funding in 2008-09. (2) The next opportunity when projects will be considered for funding is next year’s budget. (3) The Merredin Residential College is the next nearest boarding facility for students from the goldfields and the Nullabor. For students living to the west of Esperance, the next nearest residential colleges are Katanning and Albany. (4) The Minister for Education and Training visited the Esperance Residential College in 2007 and is aware of provisions for the students in residence and aspects needing improvement.
(2) When is funding likely to be made available? (3) Where are isolated students from the south east, Nullabor and goldfields regions expected to stay for their secondary education? (4) Is the Minister for Education and Training prepared to visit the Esperance Residential College to inspect the conditions under which these students are currently living? Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The government has given priority to other capital projects which were presented for funding in 2008-09. (2) The next opportunity when projects will be considered for funding is next year’s budget. (3) The Merredin Residential College is the next nearest boarding facility for students from the goldfields and the Nullabor. For students living to the west of Esperance, the next nearest residential colleges are Katanning and Albany. (4) The Minister for Education and Training visited the Esperance Residential College in 2007 and is aware of provisions for the students in residence and aspects needing improvement.
(3) Where are isolated students from the south east, Nullabor and goldfields regions expected to stay for their secondary education? (4) Is the Minister for Education and Training prepared to visit the Esperance Residential College to inspect the conditions under which these students are currently living? Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The government has given priority to other capital projects which were presented for funding in 2008-09. (2) The next opportunity when projects will be considered for funding is next year’s budget. (3) The Merredin Residential College is the next nearest boarding facility for students from the goldfields and the Nullabor. For students living to the west of Esperance, the next nearest residential colleges are Katanning and Albany. (4) The Minister for Education and Training visited the Esperance Residential College in 2007 and is aware of provisions for the students in residence and aspects needing improvement.
(4) Is the Minister for Education and Training prepared to visit the Esperance Residential College to inspect the conditions under which these students are currently living? Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The government has given priority to other capital projects which were presented for funding in 2008-09. (2) The next opportunity when projects will be considered for funding is next year’s budget. (3) The Merredin Residential College is the next nearest boarding facility for students from the goldfields and the Nullabor. For students living to the west of Esperance, the next nearest residential colleges are Katanning and Albany. (4) The Minister for Education and Training visited the Esperance Residential College in 2007 and is aware of provisions for the students in residence and aspects needing improvement.
Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The government has given priority to other capital projects which were presented for funding in 2008-09. (2) The next opportunity when projects will be considered for funding is next year’s budget. (3) The Merredin Residential College is the next nearest boarding facility for students from the goldfields and the Nullabor. For students living to the west of Esperance, the next nearest residential colleges are Katanning and Albany. (4) The Minister for Education and Training visited the Esperance Residential College in 2007 and is aware of provisions for the students in residence and aspects needing improvement.
I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The government has given priority to other capital projects which were presented for funding in 2008-09. (2) The next opportunity when projects will be considered for funding is next year’s budget. (3) The Merredin Residential College is the next nearest boarding facility for students from the goldfields and the Nullabor. For students living to the west of Esperance, the next nearest residential colleges are Katanning and Albany. (4) The Minister for Education and Training visited the Esperance Residential College in 2007 and is aware of provisions for the students in residence and aspects needing improvement.
(1) The government has given priority to other capital projects which were presented for funding in 2008-09. (2) The next opportunity when projects will be considered for funding is next year’s budget. (3) The Merredin Residential College is the next nearest boarding facility for students from the goldfields and the Nullabor. For students living to the west of Esperance, the next nearest residential colleges are Katanning and Albany. (4) The Minister for Education and Training visited the Esperance Residential College in 2007 and is aware of provisions for the students in residence and aspects needing improvement.
(2) The next opportunity when projects will be considered for funding is next year’s budget. (3) The Merredin Residential College is the next nearest boarding facility for students from the goldfields and the Nullabor. For students living to the west of Esperance, the next nearest residential colleges are Katanning and Albany. (4) The Minister for Education and Training visited the Esperance Residential College in 2007 and is aware of provisions for the students in residence and aspects needing improvement.
(3) The Merredin Residential College is the next nearest boarding facility for students from the goldfields and the Nullabor. For students living to the west of Esperance, the next nearest residential colleges are Katanning and Albany. (4) The Minister for Education and Training visited the Esperance Residential College in 2007 and is aware of provisions for the students in residence and aspects needing improvement.
(4) The Minister for Education and Training visited the Esperance Residential College in 2007 and is aware of provisions for the students in residence and aspects needing improvement.

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