No. 82

$61.7 MILLION FOR GUNGAHLIN COLLEGE

Minister for Education and Training, Andrew Barr, today announced the provision of $61.7 million for the construction of a senior secondary college in the Gungahlin town centre. 

The 2007-08 Budget provides new funding of $60.7 million over the next 3 years, in addition to the funding of $1 million for feasibility and forward design provided in 2006-07. 

“The Stanhope Government is committed to providing access to high quality education for all Canberrans,” Mr Barr said.

“This massive $60.7 million injection into a college for Gungahlin ensures one of Canberra’s fastest growing areas has education provision into the senior years and will be the third new school to open in Gungahlin since the Stanhope Government took office in 2001.”

Mr Barr said the College will provide Gungahlin with a state-of-the-art education institution, as well as a great community facility. To open in 2010, it will accommodate 900 Year 11 and 12 students and will include facilities for CIT students, including a Flexible Learning Centre.

“A key aim is for the College to also be a great community facility. It will include a range of facilities suitable for community use, including a dedicated theatre. The Gungahlin community will be involved in the planning. The feasibility of including a joint college/community library in the complex is also currently being investigated.

“The College will be designed for the 21st Century. Its focus will be on sustainability, energy efficiency and other enhancements that will provide a modern and stimulating educational environment for students, teachers and the community. It will be a facility of which the people of Canberra, and in particular the people of Gungahlin, will be proud.”

The College will provide a comprehensive program of courses with academic and non-academic programs, as in all other ACT secondary colleges. It will offer courses that have an explicit orientation to vocational education and will foster active partnerships between colleges, employers, industry and other agencies. It will cater for students who wish to combine CIT accredited courses or training with their secondary college activities.

“The Stanhope Government is proud of its achievements in education and this announcement is another significant step towards ensuring the sustainability of our high quality education system into the future,” Mr Barr concluded.

The $60.7 million for a college in Gungahlin forms part of a massive capital injection into public education in the ACT totalling more than $350 million between July 2006 and June 2011. The Australian Government has committed $2.3 million of the $60.7 million for the Gungahlin College as part of their Capital Grants program.