Ms PATTEN (Northern Metropolitan) (14:03:29) — My question is for the Minister for Education, represented by Minister Tierney. On Tuesday of last week I asked a question of the minister in relation to the roof condition of Westgarth Primary School, referring to a report commissioned in 2015 as a consequence of ongoing roof leaks throughout the school. That report noted periodic health and safety concerns, especially mould, and as I mentioned, even maggots. On the weekend we saw that the polling booth was nearly closed due to that leaking roof. The response I got from the minister — and I am grateful — said:
I am advised that the department is not aware of any request from Westgarth Primary School.
I have confirmed with the current principal that separate to correspondence sent at the end 2015 she also sent correspondence in 2016. Can the minister please correct the record in relation to the department and advise how the department will deal with this dangerously leaking roof?
RESPONSE:
Thank you for your question on the condition of Westgarth Primary School.
I am advised that the school discussed this issue with the Department in November 2016. The school was advised about the appropriate process to address this issue, which included submitting a request through the Department’s Emergency Maintenance Program. However, consistent with my previous response, the school did not submit such request.
Nevertheless, to expedite the process, the Minister for Education has instructed the Department to again contact the school to talk it through the process for requesting Emergency Maintenance funding.
Any urgent works completed and further works required can then be appropriately considered by the Department.
I trust this information is of assistance.
