The Territory LaborGovernment has supported more than 130 Alice Springs jobs while providingstate-of-the-art facilities for children, with two major, economy-stimulatingschool construction projects in the past year.
Acacia Hill Schools 88 additionalneeds students have three brand new, purpose-built classrooms, thanks to a $6.7million redevelopment of the school undertaken by local builder Scope BuildingPty Ltd.
Stage 1 of the project isnow complete and stage 2, which will see the demolition of the existingadministration building, to be replaced by a new administration building, ahall and specialty classrooms, is on track to be completed mid-year.
Braitling Primary School nowhas a new early childhood hub and new active play spaces, including anadventure playground and orchard, thanks to a $4.1 million redevelopment bylocal builder ProBuild NT.
The early childhood hubcomplements a new pre-school completed on the Braitling Primary School site inJanuary 2017, and facilitates continuity of early years learning.
The hub also providesfacilities for ancillary early childhood services, such as a playgroup, familyroom, consultation rooms and a caf, designed as a culturally safe place forfamilies.
In total, the TerritoryLabor Government invested $10.8 million in the two projects, supporting 131local construction jobs 50 on the Braitling Primary School project and afurther 81 at Acacia Hill School.
As noted by Minister forEducation, Selena Uibo.
The Territory LaborGovernment wants every child to have equal opportunity to engage in theirlearning, so they can grow and achieve a bright future.
To support their learning, its importantthat we have quality infrastructure that meets the needs of our students.
Our government is reinvesting in educationafter the CLP slashed $135 million from school budgets and sacked 500 teachers andsupport staff.
As noted by Member for Braitling, Dale Wakefield.
The Territory Labor Governments number onepriority is jobs for Territorians.
As a Local Member, I am proud to be part ofa Government that has delivered these significant projects for Alice Springsand honouring our election commitments.
These economy-stimulating projects are notonly supporting local jobs and families, they are a significant investment inthe future of Alice Springs greatest asset: our children.
As noted by Andrew Kerr, Scope Building NT Project Manager.
Being awarded the Acacia Hill School UpgradeProject, Scope Building has engaged 100 per cent local sub-contractors for theconstruction, supporting locally owned business through the Territorys currenttough times.
Where possible, Scope Building has sourcedall construction materials and consumables for the project through localbusiness and currently employs 18 full time staff, including six local Aboriginalemployees and eight apprentices.
As noted by Acacia Hill SchoolPrincipal, Julie Permezel.
Two of our classes are very happy in thebeautiful new classrooms in the Stage 1 upgrade, and students are enjoying theattractive new surrounding playground area.
Stage 2 of the building works is proceedingquickly and we look forward to moving into this new facility which has beencustom-designed for the needs of our school.
