Millions underspent on major Tasmanian school redevelopments

Last financial year the government underspent millions on major school redevelopments. Compare how much was budgeted versus how much was actually spent.

The state government underspent on several education infrastructure projects, including major school redevelopments in the 2023-24 period, the Department for Education, Children and Young People annual report shows.

The $15.1m redevelopment of Cambridge Primary school was one of the projects where the funding allocation for the financial year was not met.

The department had budgeted $3.9m for the 2023-24 financial year, but only spent $1.6m.

In the 2022-23 period it had allocated $550,000 but only spent $100,000 and in the previous reporting period it spent $80,000 instead of $100,000.

The report says the balance of funds for the project was rolled forward into the 2024-25 budget

According to the department’s website, the project is currently under construction, which commenced in 2023 and is expected to be complete in 2025.

The redevelopment of Cambridge Primary School. Picture: supplied by Tasmanian Government in Feb 2024

“The variation represents a change in the timing of project expenditures and does not reflect any overall change in the project appropriation,” the report said.

Expected project cash flows have been pushed out into the forward estimates in line with expected project timing.”

Similarly, a major redevelopment of Exeter High was also underspent on: the report shows a budget of $3.85m for the 2023-24 period, though only $664,000 was actually spent.

In the previous year there was a budget of $550,000 and one $450,000 was spent and in the 2021-22 period, there was $150,000 allocated but only $100,000 spent.

The report said the variation was due to a change in the timing of project expenditures and did not reflect changes in the project.

The $11m redevelopment is under construction and is expected to be complete in the second half of 2025.

Artist renders are giving Tasmanians a first look at proposed learning spaces for the $11 million redevelopment of Exeter High School Picture: Morrison & Breytenbach Architects. Image from January 2023.

Spending on a major redevelopment of Lauderdale Primary School was also under, with $5m budgeted for the 2023-24 period, but only $960,000 spent.

A look at previous reports shows there was 1.12m budgeted in the previous financial year, but only $350,000 spent, and in 2021-22 there was $200,000 allocated but only $80,000 spent.

Like the Exeter redevelopment, the variation was due to a change in the timing of project expenditures and not project changes.

The $6.5m redevelopment is under construction and is expected to be complete in the second half of 2024.

Digital renders of the $6.5m upgrade for Lauderdale Primary School. Image from September 2023

The major redevelopment of Montello Primary School was also on the list; there was $5.75m allocated for the 2023-24 period, but only $418m spent.

In the previous year, the budget was $1.27m but only $305,000 was spent and in the 2021-22 period there was a $150,000 budget for it, but only $45,000 was spent.

The report said the balance of funds was rolled forward into 2024‑25.

This year the state budget included an additional $2.5m for the Montello Primary School redevelopment, making the total project budget $12.45m.

Work on the school is expected to be complete in 2026.

To revitalise Cosgrove High School, the department budgeted $8m for the 2023-24 period but only spent $2.5m.

The previous year, the budget was $3.5m, but only $650,000 was spent, while in the 2021-22 period the department was close to budget expectations, spending $600,000 when 550,000 was allocated.

Meanwhile the department spent nearly double its budget on the new Brighton High School, the numbers showing a allocation of 20.9m for the 2023-24 period, but actual spend of $37.6m.

The department stuck to the budget the previous year, with $8m allocated and $7.79m spent.

In the 2021-22 period there was a $2m budget but only $210,000 was spent.

The completion of the $74m project was announced in September. this year.

Originally published as Millions underspent on major Tasmanian school redevelopments