Question regarding the relocation of the Western Australian Institute for Deaf Education from Cottesloe to Padbury and Southwell, focusing on accessibility issues for families from the eastern suburbs. The Minister's response details transport solutions and in-home support.

AnsweredQoN 376Legislative Council
Asked
14 June 2012
Portfolio
Education

QuestionView source ↗

WESTERN
AUSTRALIAN INSTITUTE FOR DEAF EDUCATION — RELOCATION
376. Hon ALISON XAMON to the minister representing the
Minister for Education:
I refer to the Western Australian Institute for Deaf
Education at Cottesloe, which the minister has indicated will be closing in
late 2012, with students to be diverted to Southwell Primary School and to
Padbury Senior High School, both of which are very difficult to access by
public transport from the eastern suburbs.
(1) Was any consideration given to a
more central location?
(2) If yes to (1), which locations
were considered and why were they rejected?
(3) If no to (1), why not?

AnswerView source ↗

I thank the honourable member for some
notice of this question.
(1)–(3)
It was considered preferable to establish two early intervention centres, one
located north of the river at Padbury and the other located south of the river
at Southwell. With regard to the early intervention centre at Padbury, the
Public Transport Authority school bus service will receive applications for
student transport to Padbury and determine whether there is a school bus
available, or whether the parents will receive a conveyance allowance to assist
with transport costs. There is a regular Transperth bus service to the Padbury
facility with connections to the northern rail line.
Hon Alison Xamon : It takes two hours from Midland.
Hon PETER COLLIER : I will just finish; okay?
Hon Alison Xamon : Keep going.
Hon PETER COLLIER : Cheers. I am not allowed to say cheers;
sorry. It is —
Hon Alison Xamon : Two hours.
Hon PETER COLLIER : These are rude interjections, Mr
President.
The PRESIDENT : Order!
Hon PETER COLLIER : In circumstances in which parents
are unable to access the Padbury facility due to distance, the WA Institute for
Deaf Education will offer specialised early intervention support for the child
and parent in the home, in day care facilities or in a local school. This will
be the same support currently available for parents who are unable to access
the existing Cottesloe site due to distance.
With
regard to the early intervention centre at Southwell, the school buses that
carry children from the southern suburbs to Cottesloe will continue to take the
children to the southern hub. It is not expected that parents will have to make
alternative arrangements.

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