Scarborough residents to vote on High School site redevelopment

27/6/01
Six-thousand Scarborough residents will be asked to consider seven development options for the old Scarborough Senior High School site.
Planning and Infrastructure Minister Alannah MacTiernan said the options arose from the recent community forum in Scarborough at which over 70 community representatives discussed a range of potential development mixes for the site.
The seven options have been distilled from 14 potential options that were discussed and developed at the forum.
Depending on the option chosen, 30 per cent, 41.5 per cent or 50 per cent of the school site will be set aside for public open space, with each option containing more or less enhancements and public facilities.
The options are:

• retention of 50 per cent of the 11 hectare site as landscaped public open space with no expenditure on public facilities;
• retention of 41.5 per cent of the site as public open space with $1.5 million in expenditure on facilities:
  • on site, with one enclosed multi-purpose court and one outside court; or
  • off site at Scarborough Beach foreshore, with one enclosed multi-purpose court and one outside court;
• retention of 30 per cent of the area as public open space with $3.8 million in expenditure on facilities:
  • off site at Scarborough Beach foreshore, with two multi-purpose enclosed courts, children's water playground, skateboard park and beach volleyball facilities; or
  • part on site, with one multi-purpose enclosed court and one open court, and part off site at Scarborough Beach foreshore, with a 50 metre open swimming pool; or
  • on site, with one multi-purpose enclosed court and one open court, and a 50 metre open swimming pool; or
  • on site, with two multi-purpose enclosed courts, a 25 metre open swimming pool, skateboard park, and BMX track.

Stirling City Council has agreed to build any off-site development options at the Scarborough beach foreshore, just two kilometres from the school site.
Stirling Mayor Tony Vallalonga said that the development of facilities at the Scarborough Beach foreshore had been thoroughly assessed through a public consultation process and was overwhelmingly supported by the community.
The options are fully explained in displays at the local shopping centre, City of Stirling Council, local MLA's office, library and Newborough Primary School. They will also be included in the letter to the 6,000 Scarborough householders who will be asked to rank the options in order of their preference.
The 100 per cent and 90 per cent options prioritised by the forum have not been included in the survey as they could not achieve the $10.5 million that Cabinet determined had to be returned to the Education Ministry for capital works in schools.
"The issue was reconsidered but Cabinet determined that since it was education facilities that were removed then a considerable amount of the money needed to be put back into education," Ms MacTiernan said.
"The Education Department has factored into its capital works budget a sum of $10.5 million from the partial development of the school site for badly needed improvements to school buildings.
"This aside, the Scarborough community as a whole has a unique opportunity to determine the future of that site within the parameters of what the State can afford."
Innaloo MLA John Quigley has concurred.
"This is a very democratic and transparent approach to a sensitive community issue, and I strongly urge all those receiving their survey form to express their view on the options by casting their vote," Mr Quigley said.
Mayor Vallalonga said his council supported the consultation process and the six options.
"At the end of the process, the Stirling City Council, will be responsible for maintaining any new public assets," he said.
Funds handed over for establishing those facilities would be held in trust by the Ministry for Sport and Recreation and released to the City of Stirling as each is constructed.
Media contact: Dean Roberts 9213 6407