❓ Hon Bob Thomas questions the Minister for Education regarding cost-cutting measures for a new Special Education Centre at South Bunbury Primary School, specifically concerning staff facilities and design changes. The Minister's response details the tender process, cost overruns, and subsequent modifications to meet budget constraints, including ongoing consultation with the school.
AnsweredQoN 888Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
888. Hon Bob Thomas to the Parliamentary Secretary representing the Minister for Education:
With regard to the Government's earlier promise to build a new Special Education Centre at the South Bunbury Primary School site -
(1) What was the amount promised for the new facility?
(2) What works were to be undertaken?
(3) Will the Minister for Education table what changes there have been, if any, to -
(a) reduce the size of the staff room;
(b) exclude the fit out of the kitchen; and
(c) exclude the verandah?
(4) Will the Minister table the other changes that are proposed?
(5) What consideration has the Government given to substituting the enclosed corridor connecting the Centre with the school for a larger staff room, a covered verandah and fitted out kitchen?
(6) If none, why not, and will consideration be given?
With regard to the Government's earlier promise to build a new Special Education Centre at the South Bunbury Primary School site -
(1) What was the amount promised for the new facility?
(2) What works were to be undertaken?
(3) Will the Minister for Education table what changes there have been, if any, to -
(a) reduce the size of the staff room;
(b) exclude the fit out of the kitchen; and
(c) exclude the verandah?
(4) Will the Minister table the other changes that are proposed?
(5) What consideration has the Government given to substituting the enclosed corridor connecting the Centre with the school for a larger staff room, a covered verandah and fitted out kitchen?
(6) If none, why not, and will consideration be given?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
22 November 2000
Response time
62 days
The Minister Replied:
(1) Based on previous tender experience, a notional allocation of $450 000 was made for this project.
(2) The generic brief for an Education Support Centre provides three learning areas, a therapy treatment room and toilet facility together with a Principal's office and a reception/work area for the clerical officer.
(3-4) Tenders for the project closed on 28 June 2000 with only two contractors submitting prices of $631 022 and $665 700 respectively for the building work. On this basis, it could be reasonably expected that the total project cost would be about $690 000.
The scope of work which went to tender significantly exceeded the generic brief for a new Education Support Centre. In particular, the proposed administration and staff facilities were in excess of those which are normally provided for Education Support staff in new primary schools. Also, a kitchen was proposed in the classroom wing, which is not part of the generic brief.
By removing the proposed verandah, providing no fit-out to the kitchen, reducing the administration/staff wing by about 36 square metres and replanning the space, together with other cost reductions involving the choice of materials, it was possible to reduce estimated total project cost to $600 000. However, at the Minister's recent meeting with parent and school representatives it was agreed that the school could work with the architects to replan the areas providing that the total cost of the project does not exceed $600 000.
(5-6) Reduction in the width of the enclosed corridor would result in minimal cost savings and would make wheelchair access more difficult.
(1) Based on previous tender experience, a notional allocation of $450 000 was made for this project.
(2) The generic brief for an Education Support Centre provides three learning areas, a therapy treatment room and toilet facility together with a Principal's office and a reception/work area for the clerical officer.
(3-4) Tenders for the project closed on 28 June 2000 with only two contractors submitting prices of $631 022 and $665 700 respectively for the building work. On this basis, it could be reasonably expected that the total project cost would be about $690 000.
The scope of work which went to tender significantly exceeded the generic brief for a new Education Support Centre. In particular, the proposed administration and staff facilities were in excess of those which are normally provided for Education Support staff in new primary schools. Also, a kitchen was proposed in the classroom wing, which is not part of the generic brief.
By removing the proposed verandah, providing no fit-out to the kitchen, reducing the administration/staff wing by about 36 square metres and replanning the space, together with other cost reductions involving the choice of materials, it was possible to reduce estimated total project cost to $600 000. However, at the Minister's recent meeting with parent and school representatives it was agreed that the school could work with the architects to replan the areas providing that the total cost of the project does not exceed $600 000.
(5-6) Reduction in the width of the enclosed corridor would result in minimal cost savings and would make wheelchair access more difficult.
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