❓ Hon Neil Thomson questions the basis of Minister John Carey's $150 million cost estimate for the East Perth Primary School, given the preliminary allocation of $2.821 million and the cost of previous primary schools. The Minister for Education confirms the $150 million is an indicative cost based on preliminary planning, and the final cost will be informed by the project definition plan, noting the school's unique vertical design.
AnsweredQoN 983Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
INNER-CITY PRIMARY
SCHOOL
983. Hon NEIL THOMSON to the Leader of the House
representing the Minister for Education:
I
refer to comments attributed to Minister John Carey, MLA, in the media
statement of 13 August 2024, which stated —
The new East Perth Primary School
will be the single biggest investment in a public primary school in our State's
history. We're talking a $150 million investment from the Cook Labor
Government to deliver the East Perth Primary School.
I also refer to the minister's
answer to me on 20 August in which she stated —
The state government has allocated
$2.821 million to progress a project definition plan for the planned new
primary school in East Perth. The finalised project definition plan will inform
the anticipated cost of the project, including site preparation works.
(1) Is the
minister able to confirm, for the Parliament, the basis of the $150 million —
Several members
interjected.
The PRESIDENT :
Order! There is too much background noise to actually hear the question.
Hon NEIL THOMSON : To continue
—
(1) Is the
minister able to confirm, for the Parliament, the basis of the $150 million
cost estimate by Minister John Carey, MLA?
(2) If no to (1), can the minister explain why Hon
John Carey, MLA, would have chosen such an extraordinary amount given
previous primary schools cost much less?
SCHOOL
983. Hon NEIL THOMSON to the Leader of the House
representing the Minister for Education:
I
refer to comments attributed to Minister John Carey, MLA, in the media
statement of 13 August 2024, which stated —
The new East Perth Primary School
will be the single biggest investment in a public primary school in our State's
history. We're talking a $150 million investment from the Cook Labor
Government to deliver the East Perth Primary School.
I also refer to the minister's
answer to me on 20 August in which she stated —
The state government has allocated
$2.821 million to progress a project definition plan for the planned new
primary school in East Perth. The finalised project definition plan will inform
the anticipated cost of the project, including site preparation works.
(1) Is the
minister able to confirm, for the Parliament, the basis of the $150 million —
Several members
interjected.
The PRESIDENT :
Order! There is too much background noise to actually hear the question.
Hon NEIL THOMSON : To continue
—
(1) Is the
minister able to confirm, for the Parliament, the basis of the $150 million
cost estimate by Minister John Carey, MLA?
(2) If no to (1), can the minister explain why Hon
John Carey, MLA, would have chosen such an extraordinary amount given
previous primary schools cost much less?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the
honourable member for some notice of the question.
(1) The
indicative cost estimate is in the vicinity of $150 million, based upon
preliminary planning work. The finalised project definition plan, which is
under development —
Hon Tjorn Sibma interjected.
The PRESIDENT :
Order!
Hon SUE ELLERY : — will
inform the final expected cost of the project. This school will cost more than
a standard-pattern primary school constructed on a larger greenfield site due
to the need for this school to be uniquely designed as WA's first
vertical primary school.
(2) Not applicable.
Several members interjected.
The PRESIDENT : Order! I just
remind members it is their time they are wasting.
honourable member for some notice of the question.
(1) The
indicative cost estimate is in the vicinity of $150 million, based upon
preliminary planning work. The finalised project definition plan, which is
under development —
Hon Tjorn Sibma interjected.
The PRESIDENT :
Order!
Hon SUE ELLERY : — will
inform the final expected cost of the project. This school will cost more than
a standard-pattern primary school constructed on a larger greenfield site due
to the need for this school to be uniquely designed as WA's first
vertical primary school.
(2) Not applicable.
Several members interjected.
The PRESIDENT : Order! I just
remind members it is their time they are wasting.
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