Claims that up to $800 million in management fees is being skimmed off school capital works projects is yet another example of government waste and mismanagement, according to the Opposition’s WasteWatch Chairman, Jonathan O’Dea.
“In my own electorate of Davidson, Killara High School has so many demountables, they’re taking over the school oval, restricting the area for sport and other outdoor activities.
“The demountables threaten to transform the school grounds so they resemble a park for mobile homes,” Mr O’Dea said. “Will the next step be tents so the school appears like a camping and caravan park?”
The Member for Davidson said the school, with almost 1,500 students is one of the biggest in the state but it sits on just 3 hectares of land – or about half that of a typical high school – and desperately needs to expand.
“I again draw the Government’s attention to a proposal, currently before the Department of Education, for a new building on the site and to provide for much needed expansion by utilising Crown Land opposite the school, presently designated for recreational use.
“These proposals are included in a comprehensive business plan, developed by the community through the Killara High School P & C Association,” Mr O’Dea said.
“The Government however, appears to be ignoring the plight of parents, teachers, staff and especially the students.
“The Education Minister also appears to be ignoring the school by failing to respond to my invitation to visit and see the desperate need first hand.
“The millions of dollars “wasted” on management fees could easily address the desperate needs of Killara High School and many others,” he said.
“Management and other fees must be reigned in so that the maximum allocated funds can be spent on addressing the real needs of schools across the state,” Mr O’Dea concluded.
