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The City of Whyalla has indicated its support for the State Government proposal for a new high school in Whyalla.
In a motion proposed and carried at the November ordinary meeting, the elected councillors voted to write to the State Government and state support for the proposed new senior high school, to thank it for providing the opportunity of the City of Whyalla and for showing confidence in the city.
Whyalla Mayor Lyn Breuer said the proposal for a new high school was, indeed, a vote of confidence in Whyalla.
“We want to thank the State Government for that confidence in our community,” Mayor Breuer said.
“It will be a great asset for our community, it will provide a great future for our young people with a whole range of new opportunities.”
The new school is proposed for a site on Nicolson Avenue between the Whyalla TAFE and UniSA facilities. It was announced on November 1 this year after a $350,000 State Government-funded feasibility study and community consultation.
A number of consultation and community engagement processes were undertaken over seven months including the establishment of a reference group and a secondary school leaders’ working group. There was consultation with a number of stakeholders including staff and students (student voice representatives of each school), the Whyalla Council (both elected members and staff), Whyalla primary school principals and pre-school directors, the Whyalla Community Action Group, Whyalla schools and pre-school governing councillors.
There was also a display booth at the Whyalla Show and a website with project information and an online survey.
The study was finished at the end of 2016 and from its findings it was recommended in a State Government report that the ‘future direction for public secondary education in Whyalla is for a new 8-12 secondary school of 1200 students located centrally on Crown Land on Nicolson Avenue …. this option received the greatest support from both the schools and community during the extensive consultation period …’.
“I have talked with many business leaders, community members, teachers, parents and students and the overwhelming sentiment is that they want this new school,” Mayor Breuer said.
“Some of the biggest business people in this town say this (new school) is just what we need.
“The location is perfect too, it gives students an opportunity to work, learn and cooperate with the TAFE and university right next door.”
Council CEO Chris Cowley said the carried motion indicated the City of Whyalla’s support for what will be a significant investment by the State Government in the city and one that fits in with the city’s strategic growth plan. The new $100m high school proposal is a State Government project that will be funded by the State Government and built on State Government land.
“Through a majority vote from the elected councillors, the City of Whyalla’s support for this project has been stated,” Mr Cowley said.
“Ultimately this is, however, a State Government project and it is the State Government’s decision to build a new high school in Whyalla.
“The City of Whyalla role is as a referring agency. We will assist and ensure all the necessary due diligence is applied."
The motion at November’s meeting also proposed that council request clarification on how the State Government intended to deal with the disused sites of the existing three high schools. Mayor Breuer said it was important to get the message across to the State Government and the Education Department that the potential vacating of the existing school sites needed to be addressed as a matter of urgency.
“We do need to talk to the State Government about this and we want to be assured there will be a future for these properties and they won’t be left derelict,” Mayor Breuer said.
“Council can play a role to ensure the State Government and the Education Department does the right thing by the community and has a future of these sites.”