Three new and expanded schools are set to be delivered to keep up with the Territory’s ever increasing number of public school students.
Chief Minister Andrew Barr announced that $27.4 million is to be allocated under the 2020-2021 Budget to scope the design of a new high school in Taylor, undertake preparatory work to expand the Margaret Hendry Primary School in north Gungahlin, support road infrastructure for the new suburb of Kenny and enable works for the new high school in Kenny.
Minister for Education and Youth Affairs, Yvette Berry said public school student numbers in the ACT continued to increase by around three per cent each year.
“Funding of $2 million will be allocated to begin scoping and design work in 2021 for a new high school in Taylor to cater for around 800 students to be ready by the 2024 school year,” Ms Berry said.
“Funding of $1 million (will also be allocated) to begin preparatory work to expand the Margaret Hendry Primary School in north Gungahlin to cater for up to 600 additional primary school students,” she said.
“This work will begin in 2021, with the school expansion expected to be ready by the start of the 2023 school year.”
Ms Berry said $24.4 million had been allocated to support road infrastructure for the new suburb of Kenny and enable works for the suburb’s new high school expected to cater for 800 students from Years Seven to 10.
“The new high school in Kenny will also feature a multi-purpose double gymnasium that will be available for community use,” the Minister said.
She said the new and expanded public schools would operate with zero carbon emissions and contribute to the Territory’s net zero emissions target by 2045.
