$25million addition to Comet Bay College in Secret Harbour

10/12/07
Secret Harbour's Comet Bay College will be expanded to include Year 11 and 12 students, following a $25million commitment announced by the Carpenter Government today.
Education and Training Minister Mark McGowan said the decision to build a senior school on the site would allow families to plan ahead.
"Comet Bay College, which was officially opened last month, serves a rapidly expanding area and already has more than 520 students in Years Eight and Nine," he said.
"Once it extends to Year 10 next year, enrolments are expected to increase to more than 800, and to more than 1,250 once Year 11 and Year 12 are on board.
"We want to ensure that students attending the college in Years Eight to 10 are not disrupted by having to move schools for their senior years.
"Over the next three years, new buildings will be constructed, refurbishments and additions undertaken and external works completed to accommodate the extra students.
"The new buildings will be at the southern end of the college and will include 10 general classrooms, materials technology studios, three computer laboratories as well as six science laboratories and a lecture theatre. A fitness centre, health education classroom and storage areas will be also added.
"The external works will include four new tennis courts and additional parking."
Peel MLA Paul Papalia welcomed the news and said Comet Bay College served Baldivis, Secret Harbour, Golden Bay and Singleton.
"As well as allowing students to complete their secondary education in the one location, the expansion of the college will also take the pressure off Warnbro Community High School," Mr Papalia said.
"Rockingham is a growing area and it is good to see the Carpenter Government investing in local infrastructure for the future."
The Minister said planning for the facilities would commence immediately, and construction was expected to begin in early 2009 and be completed in a staged basis during 2010.
"Arrangements will be made to accommodate in transportable classrooms the 250 students who will enter Year 11 at the college in 2009," he said.
"These students will have access to the existing facilities in the college such as the library and the performing arts centre, until the Stage Two additions are completed.
"I would like to thank Paul Papalia for his forceful advocacy on behalf of this college.
"He has consistently brought to my attention the need for this enhancement and has made sure the Premier and Treasurer were aware as well.
"The new Federal Member for Brand, Gary Gray, has also been a strong advocate for a senior college at the site.
"Mr Gray understands the value of a strong education system and has met with me about the need for Comet Bay College to be expanded.
"Indeed he raised it with me on the Monday after his election to Federal Parliament."
Mr McGowan said Western Australia's strong economy had enabled the Government to provide the additional works as part of a commitment to provide world-class education facilities for all Western Australians.
"At the last election we promised to build 39 new schools worth $400million, spend $300million to upgrade existing schools and spend another $300million for school maintenance work," he said.
"We have already built, planned or announced 43 new schools."
Minister's office - 9222 9111