NewsBite

State Government finds another $4m for Morialta Secondary College project at Rostrevor

A brand new high school under construction almost lost a classroom and gymnasium because of a $4m cost blowout caused by the pandemic.

Architect’s render of the new Morialta Secondary College being built at Rostrevor. Picture: Education Department
Architect’s render of the new Morialta Secondary College being built at Rostrevor. Picture: Education Department

An extra $4m has been provided for a new high school in Adelaide’s northeastern suburbs to ensure it keeps a gymnasium and classrooms.

Morialta Secondary College is among dozens of school projects which have been hit by large construction cost increases during the pandemic.

The year 7-12 school is being built on the site of the former Norwood Morialta High School middle school campus at Rostrevor.

The increased funding will ensure the school keeps the same amount of classrooms and a gymnasium announced as part of the $88.4m project.

Its zone will include all of Hectorville and Rostrevor and parts of Tranmere, Magill, Woodforde, Teringie and Montacute.

Morialta Secondary College was one of dozens of school projects hit by an escalation of construction costs during the pandemic.

An architect’s render of Morialta Secondary College. Picture: Education Department
An architect’s render of Morialta Secondary College. Picture: Education Department
The new Morialta Secondary College under construction at Rostrevor. Picture: Facebook
The new Morialta Secondary College under construction at Rostrevor. Picture: Facebook

Education Minister Blair Boyer secured another $14m for Morialta and seven other projects, including $4m for Valley View Secondary School.

Another recipient was East Marden Primary, which had borrowed $600,000 to help cover an increase from $7.5m to $8.9m for a new office block and two new classrooms.

Mr Boyer said the schools would each receive further funding to complete works that would otherwise be removed, such as new classrooms, learning spaces and gymnasiums.

East Marden Primary School governing council chair Michelle Palmer (left), her daughter Holly, 7, and principal Julie James. Picture: Colin James
East Marden Primary School governing council chair Michelle Palmer (left), her daughter Holly, 7, and principal Julie James. Picture: Colin James

He had tasked the department with reviewing other capital works projects “experiencing reductions to their scope to see what else can be done to support these schools”.

Mr Boyer said they were “pushed back to the end of the queue” when the previous Liberal government moved year 7 into secondary schools.

“This meant money was instead spent on getting high schools ready for year 7,” he said. “Projects have sat stagnant and not progressed for more than four years, despite funding being allocated almost five years ago.

“What has happened since then has been an average increase of around 40 per cent in building costs across the board during the pandemic.”

Architect's render of the new facilities at East Marden Primary School. Picture: Education Department
Architect's render of the new facilities at East Marden Primary School. Picture: Education Department
The ageing facilities at East Marden Primary School. Picture: Colin James
The ageing facilities at East Marden Primary School. Picture: Colin James

Projects yet to be completed included upgrades to Belair Primary School, Black Forest Primary School, Elizabeth Vale Primary School, Findon High School, Glenelg Primary School, Grange Primary School, Magill School, Mawson Lakes School, Murray Bridge Primary School, Parafield Gardens R-7 School, Reidy Park Primary School, Springbank Secondary School, Trinity Gardens School, Valley View Secondary School, Warradale Primary School, West Lakes Shore School R-7, Westbourne Park Primary School and Woodend Primary School.

Mr Boyer said the rest of the extra funding would go towards projects at Ardtornish Primary School, Balharry Memorial Kindergarten, Fregon Anangu School and Mannum Community College.

Add your comment to this story

To join the conversation, please Don't have an account? Register

Join the conversation, you are commenting as Logout

Original URL: https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/south-australia-education/state-government-finds-another-4m-for-morialta-secondary-college-project-at-rostrevor/news-story/d5e8f5c8a68aa6b5badd4a90feab6f51