Premier Steven Marshall to announce plans for new $100m super high school at Whyalla
THE State Government will spend $100 million to build a new high school in Whyalla, replacing the city’s three existing high schools.
THE State Government will spend $100 million on a new high school in Whyalla, replacing the city’s three existing high schools.
The Year 7-12 facility will be built between Whyalla’s UniSA and TAFE campuses in Whyalla Norrie’s Nicolson Ave, and cater for 1500 students. The facility — funded by the State Government — will go to public tender.
The first students set to flow through its door in 2022.
The former Labor government had also pledged for a new school to be built on Nicolson Ave, but had planned for it to be funded through a public-private partnership.
Mr Marshall will announce the funding during a visit to Whyalla on Wednesday.
He will be accompanied by Whyalla steelworks saviour Sanjeev Gupta, who will unveil the design for the city’s new jetty, and announce a new venture for his energy arm, SIMEC ZEN.
Mr Marshall said the spending was a major investment in the Whyalla community and a “clear demonstration that the Government is committed to supporting regional SA”.
“This is a major infrastructure project that will deliver modern, state of the art facilities for Whyalla students, create jobs in the local Whyalla community and contribute to the state’s economic growth,” he said.
“We have confidence in the future of Whyalla, and we are committed to supporting the region’s young people with the best possible education facility.
“The Education Department has undertaken significant community consultation to inform the plans for the school, and we know the community shares the Government’s ambition to improve education outcomes.”
Mr Marshall said the school’s location in Whyalla Norrie would give students a “strong link to further study options” as well as attracting students from outside the city.
Whyalla has three public secondary schools. Stuart High and Whyalla High School are both years 8-10, while Edward John Eyre High School takes the city’s Year 11 and 12 students.
A spokeswoman for Mr Marshall said the Government was considering its options about how to use the land occupied by the three existing high schools.
Whyalla MP Eddie Hughes said last year that Edward John Eyre High was perfectly placed to become a major sporting hub, and said the Whyalla site had “fantastic potential”.