Morialta Secondary College opening delayed because of wet weather during construction

Construction delays caused by wet weather have delayed the opening of a new $88.4m high school in Adelaide’s eastern suburbs.

An architect's render of Morialta Secondary College, designed by architects Thomson Rossi and Brown Falconer. Image: Department for Education

Students at a brand new high school will be temporarily relocated due to construction delays caused by wet weather.

Year Seven pupils due to start attending Morialta Secondary College at the beginning of the school year instead will spend several weeks at an university campus.

Education Minister Blair Boyer said 22 days had been lost from the project’s construction schedule because of the prolonged wet weather experienced last year.

Mr Boyer said the situation had been compounded by a nationwide shortage of building materials caused by the global pandemic.

The Advertiser previously has reported how the project’s cost increased by $4m during the pandemic, requiring the injection of extra funding to ensure it kept a gymnasium and classroom.

The new Morialta Secondary College under construction at Rostrevor during 2022. Picture: Facebook

Mr Boyer said the “minor delay” to its opening would see 168 year 7 students relocated to the UniSA campus at Magill.

“The temporary arrangement is expected to be in place for three weeks,” he said.

Mr Boyer said any costs related to the move would be covered by building company Sarah Constructions, which regularly is used by the Education Department on construction projects.

“Sarah brought on significant extra resources to continue work over the festive period to minimise disruption,” he said.

Sarah Constructions chief executive Adrian Esplin said the project was not alone in being adversely impacted by the pandemic and bad weather.

“We threw everything at this build to have it ready for the students’ first day, such as bringing on extra contractors and working through the Christmas and New Year break, but unfortunately, we are a few weeks behind schedule,” he said.

The new Morialta Secondary College under construction at Rostrevor during 2022. Picture: Facebook

Mr Boyer said parents had been notified of the alternative location from the start of term one.

Regular updates would be made about the eventual move to Morialta Secondary College.

The new year 7-12 school is being built in stages on the former Norwood Morialta High School middle campus site on St Bernards Rd, Rostrevor.

It will progressively open in several stages, with a total enrolment of 1200 students by 2028.

The first stage has included new classrooms, learning spaces, a performing arts centre, gymnasium, sports oval and courts, library, gallery and cafe.

The second stage of the project is due to be completed by the end of the year.