COMMUNITY MEMBERS DISAPOINTED AS ADDITIONAL ROEBOURNE SCHOOL FUNDING FAILS TO DELIVER ORIGINAL PLAN
BY GERARD MAZZA
Old buildings at Roebourne District High School were closed in 2022 for demolition but are still standing. Credit: Eliza Kloser.
Roebourne community members have expressed their disappointment at learning the Roebourne District High School redevelopment will not include new secondary classrooms as originally planned, even after increased funding for the project was announced last month.
The Department of Education has said construction on the project is due to begin next week after the contract for the redevelopment was awarded to ADCO Construction last month.
$42 million dollars in funding was first announced for the redevelopment of the k-12 school in September 2020.
Following the announcement, an Advisory Group was formed within the community to give Elders, parents, and school children input into the plans.
Advisory Group members told Ngaarda Media a new secondary block was a key part of the plan co-developed with the Education Department during 2021 and 2022.
Yindjibarndi Elder Tootsie Daniel was part of the Advisory Group and said the initial co-design process went well.
“We decided everything that we needed, and they spent all their work and energy and time with us, and we did too,” she said.
In late 2022, the Advisory Group was told by the Education Department that while the original master plan could not be completed in full, the development could go ahead in a revised form with the redeveloped secondary block still included.
Members of the Advisory Committee were then told in May 2023 that increased construction costs meant the project had to be further revised, and no secondary block would be built.
When an additional $20.4 million for the redevelopment was announced in last month’s State Budget, community members hoped the earlier plan would be put back on the table, however later learnt this would not be the case.
Mrs Daniel said it was sad the plans could not be delivered in full.
“It’s very disappointing for the community,” she said.
“We put all our mind and energy into this, being excited and happy for a new secondary block to be built.”
Ngarluma Elder and Advisory Group Member Josie Samson said she would like the government to eventually commit to finishing the full development.
‘To complete the master plan, we need to go back and find some more funding,” she said.
Ms Samson said she’d like to see the community and the Education Department “work together, instead of fighting against each other.”
She said she would also like the Department to provide a full breakdown of the budget for the project.
Education Department Infrastructure Executive Director Rob Thompson said the planned school facilities will benefit all students from kindergarten to year 12.
“A multi-purpose sports hall with rooms for dance and music, as well as a science room and library, cafeteria, and art learning room, will be among the great new additions for the school community,” he said.
Mrs Daniel said Roebourne was “a forgotten town in the North West.”
“They’re always bypassing our town, even for health.
“Education is very important for our children.”
Listen to an interview with Tootsie Daniel: