C.3 Capital Works

OVERVIEW

In 2015-16, the Directorate delivered a significant capital works program, totalling $41.0 million, following on from the $55.8 million program in 2014-15 and $64.3 million program delivered in 2013-14.

The highlight of the year was the opening of the new Charles Weston School - Coombs for the start of the 2016 school year. Other significant achievements include the commencement of the procurement involving a Request for Expression of Interest (REOI) for the new North Gungahlin Preschool to Year 6 (P-6) School in the suburb of Taylor, the Caroline Chisholm School Centre for Innovation and Learning and the next stage of modernisation works for Belconnen High School. Stage one modernisation works at Belconnen High School were completed during the reporting period with the opening of the new external learning and play areas and works at eight schools in the Belconnen network were completed under the Trade Skills Centres project.

All major projects were either completed or were on target to be delivered by the scheduled completion date.

NEW SCHOOLS

Charles Weston School - Coombs

Construction work on the new primary school in Coombs was completed in December 2015 and opened for the start of the 2016 school year. The school provides the first community facilities in the Molonglo Valley including 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 provides modern educational facilities including designated learning spaces for preschool to year 6 students, music curriculum enrichment spaces, a multi-purpose resource centre, a canteen and outdoor learning and play areas. The school opened with strong enrolments of 146 students, including 36 preschool students at the start of the 2016 school year and continues to grow with the development of the Coombs and Wright suburbs.

North Gungahlin Primary School

A two stage procurement process for the North Gungahlin P-6 School in the suburb of Taylor commenced in December 2015. Stage 1 of the procurement involving a REOI process was completed in May 2016 with two respondents selected to progress to Stage 2 -  a Request for Tender (RFT) process. Commencement of design of the school through an interactive tender process commenced during the reporting period.

The school is to be delivered under a Design Construct Maintain (DCM) construction methodology building on the successful DCM delivery of the recent Charles Weston School - Coombs which achieved considerable innovation in design and construction and delivered a value for money outcome for the Territory.

SCHOOL IMPROVEMENTS

Caroline Chisholm School Centre for Innovation and Learning

The project is to provide for the establishment of a focal point for student learning, teacher professional development and community use to deliver the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) curriculum. The new centre will support students attending Caroline Chisholm School and public schools in the Tuggeranong Network, teachers from across the ACT public education system and members of the local community.

Milestones achieved during the reporting period include the development of the functional design brief, the commencement of the design and procurement activities for the engagement of consultants and the builder.

Belconnen High School Modernisation

Construction of the outdoor learning and play space was completed during the reporting period.
Procurement, design and consultation phases for the Stage 2 modernisation works commenced with the appointment of the design team and the request for expressions of interest for the builder. The project includes major refurbishments to the student learning and teaching spaces, further outdoor works and the creation of a new school administration and main entry area.

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 completed at the University of Canberra Secondary College Lake Ginninderra, Hawker College, Kingsford Smith School, Canberra High School, Belconnen High School, the University of Canberra High School Kaleen and Melba Copland Secondary School (Melba and Copland sites). The facilities provided across the eight sites include hospitality, construction and horticulture.

CAPITAL UPGRADES PROGRAM

School Upgrades and New School Facilities

Works completed in the 2015-16 year included:

• Stage 1 of a two stage master plan refurbishment at the Woden School. Works during this reporting period included upgraded classrooms, assembly hall, student and staff courtyards, and commencement of construction of the new senior school building;
• the relocation, extension and upgrade of classrooms at Curtin Primary School to provide contemporary teaching spaces and improved canteen and toilet facilities;
• Stage 1 of a two stage project to replace the roof at Melrose High School. Works completed this reporting period included the main school building, hall and library;
• upgrade and expansion of preschool facilities at Mawson Primary School;
  toilet upgrades at Monash and Mount Rogers Primary Schools;
• car park expansions at Duffy and Macgregor Primary Schools and the Woden School. Design works for additional spaces at Mount Rogers and Ngunnawal Primary Schools;
• creation of a Virtual Learning Environment at Calwell High school;
• the installation of a perimeter security fence at Chapman Primary school; and
• the installation of a child safety fence to a portion of Turner School.

Building Compliance Upgrades

Building compliance upgrades and modifications completed during the report period included:

• lift control upgrades at Lake Tuggeranong College and Alfred Deakin High school
• general access works at Melrose High School, Caroline Chisholm School (senior), Fraser and Richardson Primary Schools and Isabella Plains Early Childhood School.

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 $0.525 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 2015-16 reporting period.

CAPITAL WORKS SCHEDULES

The Directorate’s capital works management program for 2015-16, 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 2015-16

Source: Education Directorate

For more information contact:
Director
Infrastructure and Capital Works
(02) 6207 6541

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