Davidson schools and residents are encouraged to submit their thoughts on the Building the Education Revolution (BER) Program as the NSW Parliamentary Inquiry opens for submissions, local MP Jonathan O’Dea said today.
Mr O’Dea said the Upper House Inquiry comes after a number of complaints regarding the BER Program from schools and other members of the public.
“There have been complaints from across NSW, including the North Shore, where at Gordon West Public School a fire hydrant was installed facing a fence and at St Ives Primary School where a new canteen package failed to allow for proper cooking facilities and promised solar heating and rain water tanks were cancelled.
“There have been substantial concerns regarding the fees and charges managed by the NSW Government and the cost of projects, relative to what is being delivered.
“As well as these issues, the quality of the projects and how they reflect a schools’ needs will be investigated.
“The NSW Liberals and Nationals have responded to the public and have initiated the Parliamentary Inquiry to help uncover and address mismanagement behind the BER Program that has wasted valuable tax-payer money,” Mr O’Dea said.
Mr O’Dea said that while submissions from schools would provide valuable insights, any individual or group with a comment to make is also encouraged to come forward.
“Across the State, communities have complained that local builders are not being used to conduct BER Projects as stated by the NSW Government, while tradesmen have raised concerns regarding over-pricing of projects as well as the quality of work put into building projects,” Mr O’Dea concluded.
Submissions close on Monday 7 June 2010 and can be made via the website www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/gpsc2, by emailing gpscno2@parliament.nsw.gov.au or by writing to The Director, General Purpose Standing Committee No. 2, Legislative Council, Parliament House, Macquarie Street, Sydney NSW 2000.
