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The Directorate's capital works management program for 2011-12, detailing the completed projects and works still in progress at the year end is shown in Table 14.1.

Overview

In 2011-12, the Directorate again delivered a large capital works program, totalling $92.3 million, following on from the $187.5 million program in 2010-11 and $204.1 million program delivered in 2009-10. This was part of the ACT Government's $683 million capital investment in ACT public schools.

A highlight for the year was the opening of the secondary section of Harrison School. All major projects were either completed or on target to be delivered by the scheduled completion date.

Significant capital works

New schools

Harrison School

The secondary section of Harrison School opened on 3 February 2012 ready for the start of the 2012 school year, catering for students in years 6 to 8. The school will cater up to year 10 from the start of the 2014 school year.

Harrison School commenced operation in 2008 catering for students from preschool to year 6. The school now includes the secondary school campus on the same site, which includes the middle school (years 6 to 8) and high school (years 9 and 10) facilities. The school has an enrolment capacity of 1,200 students.

Similar to the preschool and primary school, the secondary school section was designed to support the latest educational practices and provides an inclusive setting for students with special needs and provides opportunities for special needs students to integrate into mainstream educational programs. The school also provides facilities for students with high support needs.

The secondary school section includes specialist teaching areas for performing arts, technology, science and arts. The project design also incorporates a range of environmentally sustainable design features and the school was certified by the Green Building Council of Australia as a 5 Green Star design-rated school campus.

The construction manager, St Hilliers Group, commenced construction on the secondary school section in early 2010 with the works program arranged to allow the progressive completion and handover of school buildings during 2011 with all of the works completed ready for the start of the 2012 school year.

Stage 1 of the secondary school section, comprising the middle school classrooms and gymnasium, was completed and handed over to the school early in September 2011. These facilities were officially opened on 26 September 2011 by the Member for Ginninderra, Dr Chris Bourke MLA.

The secondary section of Harrison School was the winner of the 2012 ACT Master Builders and Boral Excellence in Building Awards in the major project (commercial building over $20 million) category.

The total budget for the secondary section of Harrison School was $51.65 million, including initial funding of $45.0 million for design and construction, $2.0 million for a larger gymnasium and $4.65 million in supplementary funding.

Franklin Early Childhood School

The final designs for the Franklin Early Childhood School were completed during the reporting period, with construction of the new school commenced in January 2012. The school will provide facilities for children from birth to eight years of age, and will accommodate 120 childcare places and cater for 300 preschool to year 2 students.

The Franklin Early Childhood School is the first purpose built early childhood school in the ACT and follows the successful operation of early childhood schools in the suburbs of Isabella Plains, Lyons, Narrabundah, O'Connor and Scullin (Southern Cross).

The construction manager, Joss Constructions, commenced work on 23 January 2012 with works programmed to deliver the Stage 1 facilities (childcare and preschool) by the start of the 2013 school year. The Stage 2 facilities, which comprise the kindergarten to year 2 teaching and learning spaces, school administration, library and canteen buildings and community hall are programmed to be ready for the start of term 2 in the 2013 school year.

The total budget for the Franklin Early Childhood School is $44.1 million, including
$1.4 million for forward design and $42.7 million for construction works. The budget includes works to separate the land site into the school block, community use blocks and community open space, together with the service road and carparking.

Bonner Primary School

The final designs for the Bonner Primary School were also completed during the reporting period, with construction of the new school also commenced in January 2012. The school will provide facilities for students from preschool to year 6, and will support residents in the north Gungahlin suburbs of Forde and Bonner. The school will cater for 560 students.

The construction manager, St Hilliers Group, commenced construction on 30 January 2012 with works programmed to deliver the Stage 1 facilities (preschool and kindergarten to year 2 teaching and learning spaces, together with the school administration, library and canteen buildings) by the start of the 2013 school year. The stage 2 facilities, which comprise the year 3 to 6 teaching and learning spaces, multi-purpose hall and environment centre, are scheduled to be handed over to the school for the start of term 3 in the 2013 school year.

During the reporting period the construction manager went into voluntary administration and a major sub-contracting company, Hastie's Group, went into receivership. These actions delayed progress on the school's construction, however negotiations to revise the project programming ensured that the stage 1 facilities would be ready by the start of the 2013 school year.

The land remediation works to stabilise the soil and undertake early earth works were completed during the reporting period prior to the commencement of the school construction works.

A significant element in the school designs is the inclusion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples artworks into the school landscape and school buildings. The school has also been designed to achieve a 5 Green star design-rating from the Green Building Council of Australia.

The project designs also include the proposed school/community Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples Learning and Cultural Centre, with the stage 1 environment centre facilities being constructed as part of the school construction project. The design for the centre is unique reflecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island culture and learning, with planned linkages to regional and remote locations across Australia to support shared teaching and learning. Adjoining land has been set aside for the stage 2 community-based facilities for the centre.

The total budget for the Bonner Primary School is $64.4 million, including $1.8 million for forward design, $2.33 million for land remediation works and $60.27 million for construction works.

Coombs Primary School

The preparation of designs for the new Coombs Primary School in the district of Molonglo was completed to the Final Sketch Plan stage during the reporting period. The school design caters for 903 students from preschool to year 6 and will include an environment centre and shared school/community hall. The design also allows for schools buildings to be flexibly converted to alternative community uses as initial enrolment demand decreases in later years.

This school will be the first school in the Molonglo district.

Gungahlin College

The Gungahlin College was constructed in the Gungahlin Town Centre and opened to year 11 students from the start of the 2011 school year. The College catered for year 11 and 12 students in 2012. The College has an enrolment capacity of 950 students.

The Gungahlin College was the winner of the 2012 Council of Educational and Facilities Planners International (Australasia) in the new construction and overall projects categories.

During the reporting period, the Directorate managed the building defects and undertook additional post-occupancy works to ensure that the building facilities meet the College's educational service needs.

The total budget for the Gungahlin College was $75.4 million, including $1.0 million for forward design. This budget included design and construction work for the new secondary college, the CIT learning centre and the joint college/community library.

Namadgi School – Kambah

The new Namadgi School was constructed on the site of the former Kambah High School and opened to preschool to year 7 students from the start of the 2011 school year. The school will cater for preschool to year 10 students from the 2014 school year. The school has an enrolment capacity of 900 students.

During the reporting period, the Directorate managed the building defects and undertook additional post-occupancy works to ensure that the building facilities meet the school's educational service needs.

The total budget for Namadgi School was $58.1 million, including initial funding of $54 million, $2.5 million allocated through the More Teachers, Lower Class Sizes program and $1.55 million in supplementary funding.

School improvements

Canberra College Performing Arts Centre

Construction of the new Performing Arts Centre at the Woden campus of the Canberra College commenced in June 2011 and was significantly progressed to 'lock up' stage by the end of the 2011-12 reporting period. Final works, as well as landscape works, will be completed early in the next reporting period, with the new centre to be handed over to the College ready for term 4, 2012 school year.

This centre follows the new performing arts theatre at Gungahlin College and new performing arts centres at Lyneham and Calwell High Schools. It will be the largest performing arts centre to be constructed at an ACT public school.

Canberra College Cares (CCCares) program

Planning and consultation works with the Canberra College and the College community were undertaken during the reporting period, allowing a detailed scope of works and functional design brief to be prepared for design tenders. A design consultant (architect) was engaged in July 2012.

The new facility will enable students and their children attending the CCCares program to transfer from the College's Weston campus and to be integrated into the College's Woden campus. The new facility will provide teaching and learning spaces for students as well as childcare and health facilities for their children.

Red Hill Primary School extension

Following the completion of works to establish the French Australian Preschool as a separate stand alone facility, this site was transferred to the French Australian Preschool Association during the reporting period. Construction and civil works to extend Red Hill Primary School commenced in September 2011, with refurbishment works in the junior wing and extensions and improvements to the school entry completed and handed over to the school during the reporting period. Construction work for the new school carpark was well progressed ready to be handed over to the school at the start of term 3, 2012 school year. The new classroom wing together with the landscape works were also on track to be handed over to the school for the start of term 4, 2012.

Malkara School hydrotherapy pool

Design and construction work for a new hydrotherapy pool at Malkara School were commenced during the reporting period. Works were well advanced, with the pool and new facility on track to be handed to the school ready for the start of term 4, 2012 school year.

Initial funding had been allocated to undertake major refurbishment works to the previous pool at the school. However, a specialist consultant's report identified concerns about the condition of the pool and non-compliance with current building standards and recommended the replacement of the pool. Additional capital funding was allocated to allow the demolition of the previous pool and to construct a new hydrotherapy pool suitable for school and community use.

Majura Primary School extension

Planning and consultation works with the school and the school community were undertaken during the reporting period, allowing a detailed scope of works to be prepared for design tenders. A design consultant (architect) was engaged in November 2011, with designs completed to Preliminary Sketch Plan stage by the end of the reporting period.

Construction tenders were called in June 2012, with a project manager to be appointed early in the 2012-13 year. Works are programmed to be completed by June 2013.

This project will extend Majura Primary School to a full four-stream school (i.e. four classes in each year group from kindergarten to year 6).

Macgregor Primary School extension

Planning and consultation works with the school and the school community were undertaken during the reporting period, again allowing a detailed scope of works to be prepared for design tenders. A design consultant (architect) was engaged in November 2011, with designs completed to Preliminary Sketch Plan stage by the end of the reporting period.

Concurrent with the Majura Primary School expansion project, construction tenders were called in June 2012, with a project manager to be appointed early in the 2012-13 year. Works are programmed to be completed by June 2013.

This project will extend Macgregor Primary School to a full four-stream school (i.e. four classes in each year group from kindergarten to year 6).

Preschool expansions

This project will expand nine existing preschools to meet COAG requirements under the National Quality Framework for early childhood education and care. The nine preschool sites are Ainslie (Baker Gardens), Deakin, Downer, Griffith (Bannister Gardens), Hackett, Lyneham, Red Hill, Reid and Watson Preschools.

Design and construction/refurbishment works were at varying stages at the end of the reporting period with all works completed at Red Hill Preschool, Final Sketch Plans completed ready for construction tenders at seven preschools and Preliminary Sketch Plans completed at Deakin Preschool.

In addition, works were undertaken at the Narrabundah Early Childhood School to establish a second preschool classroom.

Duffy Primary School extension

Preliminary planning and consultation work with the school and the school community commenced during the reporting period, with detailed design and construction/installation work to be undertaken during the 2012-13 and 2013-14 years.

This project will extend Duffy Primary School to a full three-stream school (i.e. three classes in each year group from kindergarten to year 6).

Taylor Primary School rectification

Preliminary planning and consultation work with the school and the school community commenced during the reporting period. A construction manager was engaged in June 2012 to undertake a trial wall and roof reconstruction project to determine the extent of work required across the whole school site. Detailed design and rectification/upgrade work will be undertaken during the 2012-13 and 2013-14 years.

This project involves the rectification and upgrade of Taylor Primary School following the temporary closure of the school on 14 March 2012. The project will include asbestos removal, installation of a new external cladding material, roof upgrade and internal refurbishment.

Trade Training Centre – Tuggeranong Network

The Australian Government approved a grant in December 2011 to establish the Tuggeranong Sustainable Living Trade Training Centre. This project will involve works at four high schools (Calwell and Lanyon High Schools and Caroline Chisholm and Wanniassa Schools) and two colleges (Erindale and Lake Tuggeranong) across the Tuggeranong School Network.

Initial concept designs were prepared as part of the grant submission process with full project scoping and detailed design works commenced during the reporting period.

Other new capital works projects

Artificial grass surfaces

A design consultant (landscape architect) was engaged in January 2012, with detailed design specifications completed for five schools during the reporting period: Telopea Park School (two sites) and Calwell, Theodore, Torrens (two sites) and Weetangera Primary Schools.

Landscape improvements

A program of pilot landscape improvement projects was commenced during the reporting period with works at Giralang and Aranda Primary Schools completed and works at Gowrie Primary School and Stromlo High School well advanced. Further major landscape works were commenced in the reporting period at Red Hill Primary School and will be completed early in the 2012-13 year along with the school's extensions.

Planning and consultation work on school frontage improvements at six high schools – Belconnen, Calwell, Lyneham and Stromlo High Schools and Telopea Park and Wanniassa Schools – commenced at the end of the reporting period. A design consultant (landscape architect) was appointed in June 2012.

Public schools – water tanks

Works were completed under this program during the reporting period, with non-potable water supplies now available at all ACT public early childhood, primary and high school sites. Separate works will be undertaken at four colleges to install non-potable water supplies during the 2012-13 year.

Environment – solar schools

Photovoltaic (solar panel) systems were installed at 19 ACT public schools during the reporting period. This is in addition to existing solar panel systems installed at new schools (Namadgi School and Gungahlin College), trial sites (Kingsford Smith School and Evatt Primary School) and projects connected with the Building the Education Revolution initiative (Gold Creek School and Gordon and Theodore Primary Schools).

Contracts were also issued during the reporting period to install roof mounted solar panels at a further 27 ACT public schools.

Approval was given in July 2011 to ACT public schools receiving the maximum tariff under the ACT's feed-in tariff scheme for small-scale solar power generation systems.

In addition to the installation of solar panel systems, a contract to install pulse (smart) meters at schools was commenced during the reporting period, with meters to be installed at the 19 schools where solar panel systems have been installed. The meters will record and digitally display – for business management and curriculum learning – electricity, gas and water consumption and solar power generation information.

Carbon neutral schools

Planning was commenced at the end of the reporting period for work to improve the energy efficiency and reduce the carbon 'footprint' at 10 schools.

Car parks and traffic improvements

Construction works under this program were completed at a further five schools in the reporting period: Southern Cross Early Childhood School, Charnwood-Dunlop School and Chapman, Latham and Taylor Primary Schools. Carpark modifications were also completed at four schools: Florey, Maribyrnong and Mawson Primary Schools and Melba-Copland Secondary School (Melba campus).

Tenders were also called for construction works at Fraser Primary School with design work commenced on the final carpark improvement projects at Curtin and Weetangera Primary Schools.

Security fences

Installation works were completed at eight schools during the reporting period – Lyons and Southern Cross Early Childhood Schools, and Latham, Macquarie, Palmerston District and Torrens Primary Schools, Wanniassa School (junior campus) and Black Mountain School.

School toilet upgrade program

Upgrade works were completed at three schools during the reporting period – Red Hill, Campbell and Wanniassa Hills Primary Schools. Scoping work was undertaken for upgrade works at a further 18 schools. A project manager was appointed during the reporting period to undertake the further upgrade works, with construction works to be undertaken in the 2012-13 year.

School roof replacement program

Scoping work was undertaken for refurbishment works at four schools, including two full replacements. Works will include improvements to roof structure designs, the installation of roof insulation to improve energy efficiency as well as the replacement of failing roofing materials. A project manager was appointed during the reporting period to undertake the upgrade works, with installation works to be undertaken in the 2012-13 year.

Jervis Bay School

Work to establish two additional classrooms in the main school building was undertaken during the reporting period. These classrooms replaced two rooms lost following the removal of the 'Seaspray' transportable classrooms.

More Teachers, Lower Class Sizes program

Construction of the final projects under this program at Ngunnawal and Torrens Primary Schools was completed during the reporting period.

Calwell High School Performing Arts Centre

The new Performing Arts Centre at Calwell High School was handed over to the school in February 2011. The Directorate managed defects and additional post-occupancy works during the reporting period.

Older schools upgrade program

Major upgrade works were completed at Torrens Primary School during the reporting period. Planning and designs for further major upgrade works at Hughes and Yarralumla Primary Schools were well advanced during the reporting report. A project manager was appointed to undertake the design and construction works for the Hughes and Yarralumla Primary Schools.

Schools infrastructure refurbishment program

This was a five year program to refurbish older ACT public schools undertaken over the period 2006-07 to 2010-11. The full program of works included new gymnasiums, integrated early childhood centres, new performing arts centres as well as general upgrades and refurbishments concentrating on schools more than 12 years old.

The Directorate finally completed this program in the 2011-12 reporting period. The list of schools and projects where school improvement, refurbishment and upgrade works were undertaken during the five year period 2006-07 to 2010-11 can be accessed on the Directorate's website at www.det.act.gov.au/school_education/schools_renewal

Building the Education Revolution initiative

The environment centre at Gold Creek was certified by the Green Building Council of Australia as a 6 Greenstar design-rated facility during the reporting period. This was the first 6 Greenstar design-rated facility at an Australian primary or secondary school.

This centre was also a Finalist in the United Nations Association of Australia 2012 World Environment Day Awards, in the Green Building Award category.

Regional Development Australia Fund

The Directorate had submitted two proposals for capital funding under the Australian Government's Regional Development Australia Fund in May 2011. The Directorate was informed during the current reporting period that these proposals were not successful.

Table C14.1: Capital works management, 2011-12

Project

Original project value

Revised project value

Prior year expend

Actual finance 2011-12

Actual expend 2011-12

Total expend to date

Estimate of completion date

Actual completion date

Project approval year

$'000

$'000

$'000

$'000

$'000

$'000

NEW WORKS

Fire Systems Upgrade Program

2,560

2,560

0

942

942

942

Jun 2013

 

2011-12

Installation of Artificial Grass Surfaces –
Stage 1

2,300

2,300

0

127

127

127

Nov 2012

 

2011-12

Franklin Early Childhood School

42,700

42,700

0

6,735

6,747

6,747

Dec 2013

 

2011-12

Bonner Primary School

60,270

59,770

0

7,811

9,808

9,808

Dec 2013

 

2011-12

Bonner Primary School – Land Remediation

2,330

2,330

0

2,330

2,330

2,330

Dec 2011

 

2011-12

COAG Universal Access to Preschools – Stage 1 Expansion Works

6,200

6,200

0

182

179

179

Jun 2013

 

2011-12

West Macgregor Development – Macgregor Primary School Expansion

5,650

5,650

0

79

79

79

Jun 2013

 

2011-12

Canberra College Cares (CC Cares) Program (Design)

1,400

1,400

0

47

47

47

Jun 2013

 

2011-12

School Toilet Upgrade Program –
Stage 1

2,000

2,000

0

53

53

53

Jun 2013

 

2011-12

Majura Primary School Expansion

4,400

4,400

0

107

107

107

Jun 2013

 

2011-12

Malkara School – Hydrotherapy Pool Refurbishment

1,830

3,050

0

719

1,185

1,185

Sep 2012

 

2011-12

School Roof Replacement Program –
Stage 1

2,800

2,800

0

189

189

189

Jun 2013

 

2011-12

Hazardous Materials Removal Program – Stage 2

3,400

3,400

0

2,875

2,875

2,875

Jun 2013

 

2011-12

Capital upgrades

Older School Upgrades

4,441

6,423

0

4,983

4,968

4,968

Jun 2012

Jun 2012

2011-12

New School Facilities

1,794

1,794

0

1,640

1,578

1,578

Jun 2012

Jun 2012

2011-12

School Infrastructure Improvements

2,580

2,580

0

3,586

3,716

3,716

Jun 2012

Jun 2012

2011-12

Building Compliance Upgrades

1,830

1,830

0

2,106

2,106

2,106

Jun 2012

Jun 2012

2011-12

School Security Improvements

854

854

0

1,106

1,106

1,106

Jun 2012

Jun 2012

2011-12

School Safety Improvements

275

275

0

145

145

145

Jun 2012

Jun 2012

2011-12

Environmentally Sustainable Design Initiatives

854

854

0

972

978

978

Jun 2012

Jun 2012

2011-12

Excellence and Enterprise – High School Frontages

150

150

0

152

152

152

Jun 2012

Jun 2012

2011-12

BER – Additional Works

100

100

0

170

208

208

Jun 2012

Jun 2012

2011-12

Total new works

150,718

153,420

0

37,056

39,624

39,624

     

WORKS IN PROGRESS

Harrison High School

43,500

46,668

23,906

21,309

21,298

45,204

Dec 2011

 

2009-10

Canberra College (Woden Campus) Performing Arts Centre

7,600

9,350

644

6,348

7,032

7,676

Sep-2012

 

2009-10

Car Parks and Traffic Safety Program

1,250

1,250

112

608

554

666

Jun-2013

 

2010-11

Coombs Primary School (Design)

1,950

1,950

37

1,166

1,171

1,208

Dec 2014

 

2010-11

Red Hill Primary School Expansion

5,300

5,300

754

3,617

4,429

5,183

Sep 2012

 

2010-11

Environment – solar schools

2,000

2,000

351

529

527

878

Jun 2013

 

2009-10

Gungahlin College

60,700

74,407

69,871

3,654

3,706

73,577

Dec 2010

 

2007-08

Namadgi School

50,000

55,550

52,378

1,992

2,100

54,478

Jan 2011

 

2007-08

Trade Training Centres

10,207

7,370

0

10

13

13

Dec 2013

 

2011-12

Total work in progress

182,507

203,845

148,053

39,233

40,830

188,883

     

PROJECTS COMPLETED

Public Schools – water tanks

2,000

2,375

1,991

386

384

2,375

Jun 2012

Dec 2011

2009-10

More Teachers, Lower Class Sizes

6,000

6,000

4,700

1,300

1,300

6,000

Jun 2012

Jun 2012

2009-10

Calwell High Performing Arts Centre

5,000

4,700

3,524

1,179

1,176

4,700

Dec 2011

Feb 2011

2008-09

Erindale Leisure Centre redevelopment

3,000

3,000

2,985

16

16

3,001

Oct 2009

Oct 2009

2008-09

Schools Infrastructure Refurbishment

90,000

86,000

85,975

51

26

86,001

Jun 2011

Feb 2011

2006-07

Harrison School – Second Gymnasium Court

2,000

2,000

0

2,000

2,000

2,000

Sep 2011

Sep 2011

 

Bonner Primary School (Design)

1,800

1,800

689

1,117

1,111

1,800

N/A

N/A

2010-11

Franklin Early Childhood School (Design)

1,400

1,400

301

1,105

1,099

1,400

N/A

N/A

2010-11

Building Refurbishment and Upgrades (Prior Year Capital Upgrades)

12,565

11,115

6,349

5,285

4,766

11,115

Jun 2012

Jun 2012

2010-11

Total projects completed

123,765

118,390

106,514

12,439

11,878

118,392

     

Total expenditure for 2011-12

456,990

475,655

254,567

88,728

92,332

346,899

     

Source: Finance and Corporate Support Branch

Table C14.2: End-of-year reconciliation schedule, 2011-12

Reconciliation of total current year financing

Amount ($'000)

Total current year capital works financing

89,499

Add: Financing of other capital initiatives

7,197

Capital injection from government per cash flow statement

96,696

Reconciliation of total current year actual expenditure against financing

$'000 

Total current year capital works expenditure

92,626

Total current year capital initiatives expenditure

7,768

Net impact of accruals between financial years excluding cash funded items

(3,698)

Capital injection from government per cash flow statement

96,696

Reconciliation of total current year actual expenditure

$'000 

Total current year capital works expenditure

92,626

Add: Capital initiatives

7,768

Add: Other asset purchases outside of capital works program

1,820

Net impact of accruals between financial years including cash funded items

(4,500)

Purchase of property, plant and equipment as per cash flow statement

97,713

Source: Finance and Corporate Support Branch


For more information contact:
Director
Schools Capital Works
(02) 6205 3173