Overview
In 2014-15, the Directorate delivered a significant capital works program, totalling $55.8 million, following on from the $64.3 million program in 2013-14 and $90.2 million program delivered in 2012-13.
Highlights for the year include the commencement of construction of the new primary school in Coombs and the opening of the new Canberra College Cares (CCCares) and Tuggeranong Introductory English Centre facilities. Modernisation works at Belconnen High School were also progressed with the demolition of a disused school building.
All major projects were either completed or were on target to be delivered by the scheduled completion date.
New Schools
Primary School in Coombs
Construction work on the new primary school in Coombs commenced in November 2014 and is progressing well with the school on schedule to open for the start of the 2016 school year. The school will provide the first community facilities in the Molonglo Valley. This will include community meeting rooms, a school hall with a multi-sport court and community storage areas, facilities for before and after school care and a community playing field.
The school will provide modern educational facilities including designated learning spaces for preschool to year 6 students, curriculum enrichment spaces, a multi-purpose resource centre, a canteen and outdoor learning and play areas. The project is being delivered under a Design Construct Maintain construction methodology which has allowed innovation in the design and construction stages to deliver a value for money outcome for the Territory.
School Improvements
Canberra College Cares Facility
Construction of the purpose-built facility for Canberra College Cares (CCCares) on the Phillip campus of Canberra College was completed during the reporting period. The CCCares program supports pregnant and parenting students to continue their secondary school education.
The new facility includes childcare, health and counselling facilities as well as a gathering and learning space. It is integrated into the college site, allowing CCCares students to undertake mainstream learning programs at the college as well as allowing other students to access the vocational education training facilities in the CCCares building.
Belconnen High School Modernisation - Stage 1
Construction work on the Stage 1 Belconnen High School modernisation project commenced with the demolition of a disused school building. Works to relocate the arts and music facilities at the school were also completed in the reporting period.
Designs for an outdoor learning and play space were completed with construction tenders invited during the reporting period. These works are scheduled to be completed for the start of the 2016 school year.
Concept planning for the Stage 2 modernisation works was also completed during the reporting period. This will include major refurbishments to the student learning and teaching spaces, further outdoor works and a new school administration building.
Tuggeranong Introductory English Centre
Construction work on the purpose-built Tuggeranong Introductory English Centre on the Wanniassa Hills Primary School site was completed in April 2015. This facility will provide primary school-aged students newly arrived to Australia and Canberra intensive English tuition before returning to the ‘home' primary schools. The centre is also available for out-of-school hours use for adult English tuition.
Trade Skills Centre - Belconnen Network
The Australian Government approved a grant in January 2013 to establish the Belconnen Trade Skills Centre in the Belconnen school network. At the end of the reporting period, new facilities were close to completion at University of Canberra Secondary College Lake Ginninderra, Hawker College, Kingsford Smith School and Canberra High School. These facilities will be available to the schools during the second semester of the 2015 school year.
Planning and design work had been completed on the new facilities at a further four secondary school sites in the Belconnen network - Melba Copland Secondary School (Melba and Copland sites), University of Canberra High School Kaleen and Belconnen High School. Construction work will commence early in term 3, 2015 with works scheduled to be completed ready for the start of the 2016 school year.
Sustainable Learning Trade Training Centre - Tuggeranong Network
Final works were completed on the trade training centre facilities in the Tuggeranong school network with the completion of the metal and automotive workshops at Lake Tuggeranong College. These facilities were funded under an Australian Government grant approved in December 2011 to establish the Tuggeranong Sustainable Learning Trade Training Centre.
Preschool Expansions
Work to upgrade and provide an additional playroom at Campbell Preschool was completed in November 2014 and the expansion and upgrading of the Latham Preschool was completed in April 2015. These works complete this program.
Childcare Centres
ACT Government childcare assets transferred to the ACT Property Group in the Chief Minister, Treasury and Economic Development Directorate on 1 February 2015.
Prior to the transfer, expansion and upgrade works were completed at the Forrest, Appletree and Treehouse in the Park centres. Designs for the expansion of the Bunyarra and Salem centres and designs for the upgrade of Totom House centre were also completed during the reporting period.
Building works on the extension of the Gungahlin Children's Centre were also commenced in early 2015.
Capital Upgrades Program
School Upgrades and New School Facilities
Works completed in the 2014-15 year included:
- the upgrade of a classroom for high needs students at Black Mountain School, including the installation of a track lifting system for mobility impaired students;
- the relocation, extension and upgrade of classroom buildings to provide additional teaching spaces, toilet facilities and an expanded library area at Cranleigh School;
- the relocation and refurbishment of classroom buildings to expand Ngunnawal Primary School;
- finalisation of works for the relocation and refurbishment of classroom buildings to expand Amaroo School;
- the refurbishment of a science classroom at Alfred Deakin High School;
- roof replacement works at Canberra High School, including the installation of ceiling insulation;
- a staffroom expansion and upgrade at Macquarie Primary School;
- a staffroom upgrade and the conversion of a hall to create two classrooms at North Ainslie Primary School;
- the upgrade of two art rooms at Campbell Primary School;
- the refurbishment of the canteen and the creation of a hospitality learning space at Arawang Primary School;
- the refurbishment of a food technology classroom at Caroline Chisholm School;
- toilet upgrades at Charnwood-Dunlop, Forrest, Gilmore and Hughes Primary Schools;
- carpark expansions at Majura Primary School, with expansion works well progressed at Duffy and Macgregor Primary Schools;
- the installation of perimeter security fences at Arawang, Duffy and Mawson Primary Schools, with modifications and expansions to existing fences at the O'Connor Co-Operative School, Wanniassa Hills and Yarralumla Primary Schools and the University of Canberra Secondary College Lake Ginninderra;
- security upgrades at Majura and Yarralumla Primary Schools and Amaroo, Harrison, Kingsford Smith and Namadgi Schools; and
- the installation of digital signs at Red Hill Primary School, Mount Stromlo High School, Telopea Park School and Canberra, Dickson and Narrabundah Colleges.
Design work on major refurbishments to Curtin Primary School was also commenced during the reporting period.
Building Compliance Upgrades
Building compliance upgrades and modifications completed during the reporting period included:
- new lifts installed at Canberra High School and Ainslie Primary School;
- the upgrade of an accessible toilet at Richardson Primary School;
- modifications to a stair lift at Telopea Park School; and
- general access works at Bonython, Torrens and Wanniassa Hills Primary Schools, Wanniassa School and Cranleigh School.
School Infrastructure Improvements
Masterplans were prepared for The Woden School, Aranda Primary School and the O'Connor Co-Operative School in preparation for planned upgrade and expansion works in future years.
Infrastructure works for information communications and technology (ICT) facilities were undertaken at Latham, Ngunnawal and Richardson Primary Schools, Amaroo, Gold Creek and Wanniassa Schools, Melba Copland Secondary School and Narrabundah College.
Environmental Sustainability
As capital works are undertaken at public schools, including new facilities, building upgrades and refurbishments, opportunities are taken to improve the energy efficiency and water conservation of these spaces. A total of $1.112 million was allocated from the schools capital upgrades program during the reporting period to support the Directorate's strategic priorities for environmental sustainability initiatives.
Refer to Section B9 for an overview of the projects and policies implemented during the 2014-15 reporting period.
Capital Works Schedules
The Directorate's capital works management program for 2014-15, detailing the completed projects and works still in progress at the year end is shown in Table C3.1.
Table C3.1: Capital works management 2014-15
New Capital Works
Project |
Original Project Value $'000 |
Revised Project Value $'000 |
Prior Year Exp. $'000 |
Actual Finance 2014- 2015 $'000 |
Actual Exp. 2014- 2015 $'000 |
Total Exp to Date $'000 |
Estimated completion date |
Actual completion date |
Project Approval Year |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Belconnen Region Schools - Modernisation | 250 | 250 | 0 | 250 | 250 | 250 | Jun-15 | Jun-15 | 2014-15 |
Hazardous Material Removal Program - Stage 3 | 3,000 | 3,000 | 0 | 728 | 728 | 728 | Jun-17 | 2014-15 |
Capital Upgrades
Project |
Original Project Value $'000 |
Revised Project Value $'000 |
Prior Year Exp. $'000 |
Actual Finance 2014- 2015 $'000 |
Actual Exp. 2014- 2015 $'000 |
Total Exp. to Date $'000 |
Estimated completion date |
Actual completion date |
Project Approval Year |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Older School Upgrades | 1,200 | 1,200 | 0 | 1,252 | 1,358 | 1,358 | Jun-15 | Jun-15 | 2014-15 |
Excellence and Enterprise | 1,400 | 1,400 | 0 | 1,764 | 1,755 | 1,755 | Jun-15 | Jun-15 | 2014-15 |
New School Facilities | 0 | 0 | 0 | 559 | 194 | 194 | Jun-15 | Jun-15 | 2014-15 |
School Infrastructure Improvements | 7,050 | 4,650 | 0 | 4,941 | 6,508 | 6,508 | Jun-15 | Jun-15 | 2014-15 |
Building Compliance Upgrades | 1,780 | 1,780 | 0 | 1,917 | 1,908 | 1,908 | Jun-15 | Jun-15 | 2014-15 |
School Security Improvements | 856 | 856 | 0 | 674 | 705 | 705 | Jun-15 | Jun-15 | 2014-15 |
School Safety Improvements | 1,870 | 1,870 | 0 | 1,537 | 1,516 | 1,516 | Jun-15 | Jun-15 | 2014-15 |
Environmentally Sustainable Design Initiatives | 1,112 | 1,112 | 0 | 1,050 | 1,120 | 1,120 | Jun-15 | Jun-15 | 2014-15 |
School Joint Funded Projects | 0 | 1,000 | 0 | 735 | 854 | 854 | Jun-15 | Jun-15 | 2014-15 |
Total New Works | 18,518 | 17,118 | 0 | 15,407 | 16,896 | 16,896 |
Work in Progress
Project |
Original Project Value $'000 |
Revised Project Value $'000 |
Prior Year Exp $'000 |
Actual Finance 2014-15 $'000 |
Actual Exp. 2014-15 $'000 |
Total Exp. to Date $'000 |
Estimated completion date |
Actual completion date |
Project Approval Year |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Belconnen High School Modernisation - Stage 1 | 2,000 | 2,000 | 132 | 1,157 | 1,265 | 1,397 | Jun-15 | - | 2013-14 |
Canberra College Cares - New Building at Phillip Campus | 14,000 | 14,000 | 4,260 | 8,613 | 8,610 | 12,870 | Feb-15 | Feb-15 | 2013-14 |
Carbon Neutral Schools - Stage 1 | 3,500 | 3,500 | 983 | 1,707 | 1,480 | 2,463 | Jun-16 | - | 2012-13 |
COAG Universal Access to Preschools - Stage 1 Expansion Works | 6,200 | 6,200 | 4,881 | 1,274 | 1,295 | 6,176 | Apr-14 | Jun-15 | 2011-12 |
Coombs P-6 School Construction Funding | 0 | 43,410 | 19 | 17,750 | 17,754 | 17,773 | Jan-16 | - | 2013-14 |
Belconnen Trade Skill Centre | 8,120 | 8,120 | 65 | 2,269 | 2,276 | 2,341 | Jun-16 | 2013-14 | |
Sustainable Learning Trade Training Centre - Tuggeranong | 10,207 | 8,301 | 6,142 | 2,203 | 2,083 | 8,225 | Apr-14 | Dec-14 | 2011-12 |
Total Work in Progress | 60,357 | 101,603 | 32,326 | 35,266 | 34,990 | 67,316 | - | - | - |
Projects Completed
Project |
Original Project Value $'000 |
Revised Project Value $'000 |
Prior Year Exp. $'000 |
Actual Finance 2014-15 $'000 |
Actual Exp. 2014-15 $'000 |
Total Exp. to Date $'000 |
Estimated completion date |
Actual completion date |
Project Approval Year |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Primary school in Coombs design (finalisation of design) | 550 | 550 | 551 | 19 | 0 | 551 | Jun-14 | Jun-14 | 2013-14 |
Installation and artificial grass surfaces - Stage 1 | 2,300 | 2,570 | 2,570 | 0 | 20 | 2,590 | Apr-13 | Apr-13 | 2011-12 |
Duffy Primary School | 2,800 | 2,800 | 2,667 | 198 | 132 | 2,799 | Dec-13 | Jan-14 | 2012-13 |
Franklin Early Childhood School | 42,700 | 25,641 | 25,078 | 197 | 174 | 25,252 | Dec-13 | Jan-14 | 2011-12 |
Gungahlin College | 60,700 | 74,407 | 74,143 | 285 | 253 | 74,396 | Mar-11 | Mar-11 | 2007-08 |
Neville Bonner Primary School | 60,270 | 43,270 | 41,007 | 132 | 233 | 41,240 | Dec-13 | Jan-14 | 2011-12 |
North Watson Development - Majura Primary School | 4,400 | 4,680 | 4,086 | 598 | 595 | 4,681 | May-14 | Sep-14 | 2011-12 |
School Infrastructure for the Future | 3,345 | 3,345 | 2,799 | 1,255 | 546 | 3,345 | Jun-14 | Dec-14 | 2013-14 |
Tuggeranong Introductory English Centre | 1,800 | 1,800 | 228 | 1,567 | 1,572 | 1,800 | Jun-15 | Jun-15 | 2013-14 |
West Macgregor Development - Macgregor Primary School Expansion | 5,650 | 5,899 | 5,388 | 480 | 511 | 5,899 | Oct-13 | Sep-13 | 2011-12 |
Prior Year CUP (2013-14) | 13,530 | 13,272 | 13,177 | 95 | 95 | 13,272 | Jun-14 | Dec-14 | 2013-14 |
Total Projects Completed | 181,715 | 162,162 | 155,850 | 4,533 | 3,904 | 159,754 | - | - | - |
Total Capital Works Program 2014-15
Project |
Original Project Value $'000 |
Revised Project Value $'000 |
Prior Year Expenditure $'000 |
Actual Finance 2014-15 $'000 |
Actual Expenditure 2014-15 $'000 |
Total Expenditure to Date $'000 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Total Capital Works Program 2014-15 | 260,590 | 280,883 | 188,176 | 55,206 | 55,790 | 243,966 |
Note: Works related to Childcare Centres were transferred to Chief Minister, Treasury and Economic Development Directorate as at 31 January 2015.
Source: Education and Training Directorate
Chief Minister's Reading Challenge
Amaroo School students welcomed Virginia Haussegger, the face of local ABC TV News, as she shared her love of reading in her role as Ambassador of the Chief Minister's Reading Challenge. To the great delight and excitement of the students she read two Roald Dahl stories to those seated around her. Students reciprocated by sharing limericks that they had prepared in class to the accompaniment of music. With 2014 marking the tenth year of the Reading Challenge, there has been consistent growth in the number of students seeing how much and how widely they can read in completing the challenge. The first Reading Challenge attracted 638 readers, in 2014 74 schools and 22,683 students took part. Students appreciate that it is not a competition, but is all about encouraging a love of reading and helping students improve their literacy.
Table C3.2: End-of-year reconciliation schedule 2014-15
Reconciliation of total current year financing |
2014-15 $'000 |
---|---|
Total current year capital works financing | 53,461 |
Add: Financing of other capital initiatives | 18,413 |
Add: Appropriation drawn down for 27th pay in 2014-15 | 18,455 |
Capital Injection from Government per Cash flow statement | 90,329 |
Reconciliation of Total Current Year Actual Expenditure - against financing |
2014-15 $'000 |
---|---|
Total current year capital works expenditure | 51,434 |
Total current year capital initiatives expenditure | 17,942 |
Add: Appropriation drawn down for 27th pay in 2014-15 | 18,455 |
Add: Appropriation drawn down for works related to Childcare centres1 | 2,484 |
Add Net Impact of accruals between financial years | 2,282 |
Less: Capital purchases funded outside of Capital Injections | -2,267 |
Capital Injection from Government per Cash flow statement | 90,329 |
Reconciliation of Total Current Year Actual Expenditure |
2014-15 $'000 |
---|---|
Total current year capital works expenditure | 51,434 |
Add: Capital Initiatives | 17,942 |
Add: Other asset purchases outside of capital works program | 2,590 |
Add: Expenditure for works related to Childcare centres1 | 2,484 |
Add: Net Impact of accruals between financial years | 2,282 |
Purchase of Property, Plant and Equipment as per Cash Flow Statement | 76,731 |
Note: Works related to Childcare Centres were transferred to Chief Minister, Treasury and Economic Development Directorate as at 31 January 2015.
Source: Education and Training Directorate
For more information contact:
Director
Infrastructure and Capital Works
(02) 6205 3173
Australian Apprenticeships - Good News for Aziz
Aziz overcame many challenges to be in his current position as an apprentice bricklayer. He arrived in Australia in 2012 and enrolled at Dickson College to study for a Year 12 Certificate. Aziz promptly said to the college, "Get me a job, I will do anything!" The college referred Aziz for work experience as a bricklayer and an apprenticeship opportunity presented itself. Aziz faced a difficult choice between completing year 12 or undertaking paid employment and training. In 2014 he elected to undertake a bricklaying apprenticeship, as paid employment presented the faster route to meet his financial and family goals. Aziz plans to enrol at the Canberra Institute of Technology to study for his Year 12 Certificate at night.
The opportunity to work outdoors suited Aziz and he promptly fell in love with bricklaying. The Australian Apprenticeships system is supporting Aziz with his English whilst also ensuring there is appropriate mentoring. Being employed by a Group Training Organisation (GTO) means Aziz has the opportunity to meet many apprentices at the training facility and learn about Australian culture over the daily BBQ lunch provided by the registered training organisation.
Aziz is determined to work hard and complete his apprenticeship. Aziz is appreciative of the opportunity to undertake an apprenticeship, contribute positively to the Canberra community and work towards achieving his goals.