Construction work starts on new $104 million super school at Angle Vale
Graders have replaced tractors on a market garden north of Adelaide as earthworks start on a new $104 million super school. TAKE A FLY THROUGH
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Site works have started for a new super school north of Adelaide on a former market garden compulsorily acquired by the State Government.
Graders this week started clearing a site on Riverbanks Rd, Angle Vale, for the “birth to Year 12” school, which will accommodate 1675 students.
The new facility also will include a 75-place childcare centre and 300-seat theatre which will be shared with the community.
Playford Council will pay its operators – a consortium formed between a construction company and two investment companies – an undisclosed annual fee to use the hall and other facilities at night and on weekends.
These will include two football ovals, a gymnasium, all purpose courts and soccer pitches.
The school is one of three being built in partnerships between the State Government and the private sector, the financial details of which have not been publicly revealed. The others are at Aldinga and Whyalla.
Education Minister John Gardner said the construction of the three schools was expected to generate around 1000 jobs over the next three years.
Mr Gardner said the employment opportunities would be important in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We know that South Australia is facing many challenges as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, and the construction of this school will provide a much needed jobs boost for our state,” he said.
The proposed zone for the new Angle Vale school includes Angle Vale, Lewiston, Two Wells, Virginia, Munno Para West, Munno Para Downs, Hillier, MacDonald Park and Gawler River.
Existing zones for Mark Oliphant College, Gawler and District College and Angle Vale Primary School are likely to change under plans currently out for public consultation.
Mr Gardner said the new school was important to ease pressure on other schools in northern Adelaide.
“With population growth in the outer northern suburbs of Adelaide projected to grow substantially in the coming years, this new school will meet new demand and ease enrolment pressure on neighbouring government schools,” he said.
“We are confident that local families and the community will embrace this new local education hub that will offer modern, state-of-the-art facilities for their children to learn in.”
Sarah Constructions chief executive Adrian Esplin said it was “fantastic” to start work on the site, which was a market garden owned by one of Angle Vale’s original horticultural families.
“The northern region is very important to our business, with the majority of trade contractors, suppliers as well as our staff located in this region,” said Mr Esplin.
Nearby residents told a recent State Commission Assessment Panel (SCAP) hearing that they were concerned shooting pests on their properties could frighten children at the school.
They also warned it had been located in an area prone to flooding and bushfires, while dust storms known as “dust devils” also were regularly experienced.