Question to the Minister for Education on the Mount Gambier High School upgrade

Mr FATCHEN (Mount Gambier) (14:55): Thank you, Speaker. My question is to the Minister for Education. Can the minister update the house on when work is expected to begin on the $6 million upgrade at the Mount Gambier High School? With your leave, ma'am, and that of the house, I will explain.

Leave granted.

Mr FATCHEN: In the 2024-25 state budget, it was announced that Mount Gambier High School would receive $6 million in upgrade funding. However, at last week's country cabinet forum, teacher Emma Robinson raised concerns about the ongoing delays and frustrations within the school community, stating:

Nearly two years later, the Education Department still has not approved the plans to go to tender.

We are frustrated and losing over a million dollars in consultant costs.

The Hon. L.P. HOOD (Adelaide—Minister for Education, Training and Skills, Minister for Autism, Minister for the City of Adelaide) (14:56): I thank the member for his question, and also for hosting us in his community for country cabinet last week. When I arrived to the community forum, I really appreciated that Emma was one of the first to come along and introduce herself to me and talk about the wonderful work that she does as a tech teacher at the school.

As you have stated, the school is receiving a $6 million capital works upgrade. That will provide new amenities and changerooms, refurbishments and also landscaping. I am advised by the department that construction is expected to start later this year, with completion in late 2027. We are very much looking forward to the project getting underway and going out to tender so we can have those upgraded facilities for Mount Gambier High.