Overview
In 2017-18, the Directorate delivered a significant capital works program, totalling $23.8 million, following on from the $19.5 million program in 2016-17 and $41 million program delivered in 2015‑16.
Significant achievements for the year included the continuation of the modernisation works at the Belconnen High School and the completion and operation of the Caroline Chisholm School Centre for Innovation and Learning. Investment in Gungahlin School infrastructure continued with the further expansion of Neville Bonner Primary School. The first phase of the modernisation works were completed at Campbell Primary School with the installation of five demountable classroom buildings and the demolition and site remediation of a classroom block at the site.
New Schools
Molonglo School
Early planning and design activities have progressed throughout the reporting period for the preschool to year 10 school in Denman Prospect in the Molonglo region.
The school will be delivered in two stages with the preschool to year 6 areas and community use facilities ready for the start of the 2021 school year.
North Gungahlin Primary School
Construction activities for the new school commenced during the reporting period with bulk earthworks, in-ground services and building structures progressing well.
The school is being delivered under a Design Construct Maintain (DCM) construction methodology with construction to be completed and the school ready for operation for the start of the 2019 school year.
Caroline Chisholm School Centre for Innovation and Learning
The Centre for Innovation and Learning commenced operation at the start of the 2018 school year delivering Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) programs to students attending Caroline Chisholm School and in the Tuggeranong Network.
It includes multi-purpose learning spaces and state-of-the-art equipment and facilities to support students and provide professional development to teachers across the ACT public education system.
Modernising Belconnen High School
The Belconnen High School modernisation project continued during the reporting period with major refurbishment works to the student learning and teaching spaces of the main building, a new administration area and main entry and additional outdoor works.
The completion of modernisation works is scheduled for early 2019.
Narrabundah College and Campbell Primary School Modernisation
The initial stages of the Campbell Primary School modernisation were completed for the start of the 2018 school year. This included the installation of five double classroom transportable buildings and an amenities block. Additional games courts, covered walkways and landscaping were also provided together with the demolition of an end of life building over the summer holiday period.
At Narrabundah College 22 transportable classroom and support buildings have been installed on the site during the reporting period with works progressing for their occupation during term 3 of the 2018 school year.
A program of community engagement has been ongoing with both schools regarding the future modernisation program.
Investment in Gungahlin School Infrastructure
Expansion works have continued at a number of schools in the North Gungahlin region to accommodate increased enrolment demand in the area.
An additional eight new learning spaces were provided at Neville Bonner Primary School together with two new learning spaces at the Gold Creek School junior campus for the start of the 2018 school year.
Amaroo School expansion works were completed for the start of the 2018 school year including a new permanent building providing an additional 300 places and a double gymnasium extension.
Capital Upgrades Program
School upgrades
Works completed in the 2017-18 year included:
- Alfred Deakin High School – external quiet seating deck and new flag poles;
- Arawang Primary School – two new learning spaces, new flag poles;
- Aranda Primary – new transportable classrooms;
- Bonython Primary School – new small group learning room (LSU) and courtyard extension and revitalisation;
- Campbell Primary School - sensory garden;
- Cranleigh School – enclosure and heating of Silver Courtyard to enable winter use;
- Erindale College – new small group learning room (LSU) and major roof upgrade works;
- Farrer Primary School – Boiler replacement and two disused rooms converted to a withdrawal and a sensory room;
- Fraser Primary School – shade structure and new flag poles;
- Gilmore Primary School – three store rooms converted to withdrawal spaces;
- Giralang Primary School – heritage upgrade to the school hall ceiling;
- Gowrie Primary – sensory nature play area and shade structure;
- Kaleen Primary – installation of a school security fence;
- Kingsford Smith – sensory play area with shade sail;
- Lake Ginninderra College – outdoor quiet seating/withdrawal area;
- Lake Tuggeranong College – refurbishment of student wellbeing hub, food technology upgrade;
- Lanyon High – school entry upgrade;
- Lyneham High – food technology area upgrade;
- Lyneham Primary – boiler replacement;
- Malkara School – new fixed play equipment area for sensory play;
- Mawson Primary School – Sewer rectification works;
- Melba-Copland School – Science laboratory upgrade, school entry upgrade;
- Melrose High – installation of a school security fence;
- Mount Stromlo High – Complete roof replacement and Science Laboratory upgrade;
- Palmerston Primary School – Car park expansion;
- Richardson Primary School – new small group learning room (LSU) with landscaped courtyard;
- Telopea Park School – new transportable classrooms;
- The Woden School – College Building project; and
- UC Kaleen High – science preparation room.
Building Compliance Upgrades
Building compliance upgrades and modifications completed during the report period included:
- Black Mountain school toilet upgrades to rooms 8/9;
- The new accessible toilet at Fraser Primary School; and
- Alfred Deakin High School new elevator to music rooms.
Air Conditioning in Schools
In 2017, a multi-year program commenced to reduce the heat load in the most critical areas of schools based on a priority matrix. Solutions included the provision of reflective film on east and west facing windows, shading of windows via planting of mature trees or mechanical louvres, installation of ceiling fans, evaporative cooling or refrigerated air conditioning. This program is expected to continue for two financial years.
The cost of the program in 2017-18 was $1.96 million with various works undertaken at 42 schools.
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, increase use of sustainable transport and decrease the water consumption of these spaces. Specific capital works directly targeting sustainability are also undertaken directly by schools. The key funding source for these projects is the feed-in-tariff income associated with the solar panels at schools.
A total of $0.975 million was allocated from the schools capital upgrades program during the reporting period to support the Directorate’s strategic priorities for environmental sustainability improvements. Refer to Section B9 for an overview of the projects and programs implemented during the 2017-18 reporting period.
Table C3.1: Capital Works Management 2017-18
| Project | Original Project Value | Revised Project Value | Prior Year Expenditure | Actual Expenditure 2017-18 | Total Expenditure to Date | Estimated/ Actual physical completion date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $'000 | $'000 | $'000 | $'000 | $'000 | ||
| NEW CAPITAL WORKS | ||||||
| Better schools for our kids – New School Facilities in Molonglo - Early Planning | 500 | 500 | 0 | 301 | 301 | Dec-18 |
| Better schools for our kids – Expanding Schools in Gungahlin | 24,072 | 24,072 | 0 | 3,440 | 3,440 | Jun-21 |
| Better schools for our kids – Narrabundah College and Campbell Primary School | 1,200 | 25,066 | 0 | 12,852 | 12,852 | Jun-22 |
| Total New Capital Works | 25,772 | 49,638 | 0 | 16,593 | 16,593 | |
| PUBLIC SCHOOL INFRASTRUCTURE UPGRADES | ||||||
| Disability Access Compliance | 1,450 | 1,559 | 0 | 1,410 | 1,410 | Jun-18 |
| Environmental Sustainable Design | 975 | 1,400 | 0 | 843 | 843 | Jun-18 |
| External Learning Environments | 450 | 1,445 | 0 | 459 | 459 | Jun-18 |
| Joint Funding Works Program | 1,795 | 1,676 | 0 | 2,059 | 2,059 | Jun-18 |
| School Administration and Support Area Improvements | 1,760 | 2,125 | 0 | 1,943 | 1,943 | Jun-18 |
| School Learning Area Improvements | 3,720 | 5,350 | 0 | 6,462 | 6,462 | Jun-18 |
| School Revitalisation | 9,450 | 10,499 | 0 | 9,876 | 9,876 | Jun-18 |
| School Safety Improvements | 550 | 972 | 0 | 938 | 938 | Jun-18 |
| School Security Improvements | 550 | 549 | 0 | 373 | 373 | Jun-18 |
| Total Public School Infrastructure Upgrades | 20,700 | 25,575 | 0 | 24,363 | 24,363 | |
| Total New Works | 46,472 | 75,213 | 0 | 40,956 | 40,956 | |
| WORK IN PROGRESS | ||||||
| Better Schools – Investment in Gungahlin School Infrastructure | 16,600 | 16,600 | 4,344 | 11,242 | 15,586 | Jun-19 |
| Schools for the Future – Caroline Chisholm School - Centre for Innovation and learning | 5,896 | 5,696 | 1,013 | 4,236 | 5,249 | Feb-18 |
| Schools for the Future – Modernising Belconnen High | 17,627 | 23,527 | 2,417 | 11,627 | 14,044 | Jun-19 |
| Schools for the Future - North Gungahlin and Molonglo | 28,609 | 28,609 | 1,338 | 11,899 | 13,237 | Feb-19 |
| Hazardous Material Removal Program – Stage 3 | 3,000 | 3,000 | 2,508 | 267 | 2,775 | Jun-18 |
| Total Work In Progress | 71,732 | 77,432 | 11,620 | 39,271 | 50,891 | |
| PROJECTS - PHYSICALLY BUT NOT FINANCIALLY COMPLETED | ||||||
| Coombs P-6 School Construction Funding | 47,250 | 35,752 | 35,142 | 158 | 35,300 | Jan-16 |
| TOTAL | 47,250 | 35,752 | 35,142 | 158 | 35,300 | |
| PROJECTS - PHYSICALLY AND FINANCIALLY COMPLETED | ||||||
| Belconnen Trade Skill Centres | 8,120 | 8,120 | 8,117 | 3 | 8,120 | Jun-17 |
| TOTAL | 8,120 | 8,120 | 8,117 | 3 | 8,120 | |
| TOTAL CAPITAL WORKS PROGRAM 2017-18 | 173,574 | 196,517 | 54,879 | 80,388 | 135,267 | |
Table C3.2: End of Financial Year Reconciliation Schedule 2017-18
Unselect| Reconciliation of total current year financing | 2017-18$'000 |
|---|---|
| Total current year capital works financing | 80,684 |
| Add: Other capital initiatives financing | 15,052 |
| Capital Injection as per Cash flow statement | 95,736 |
| Reconciliation of Total Current Year Actual Expenditure - against financing | |
| Total current year capital works expenditure | 80,221 |
| Total current year capital initiatives expenditure | 16,174 |
| Add: Net Impact of accruals between financial years | 327 |
| Less: Net Impact of Capital purchases expenditure funded outside of Capital Injections | -986 |
| Capital Injection (as per Cash flow statement) | 95,736 |
| Reconciliation of Total Current Year Actual Expenditure | |
| Total current year capital works expenditure | 80,221 |
| Total current year capital initiatives expenditure | 16,174 |
| Add: Net Impact of accruals between financial years | 327 |
| Add: Other asset purchases outside of capital works program and capital initiatives | 2,090 |
| Purchase of Property, Plant and Equipment (as per Cash Flow Statement) | 98,812 |