Released 17/09/2019
The ACT Government is delivering on its commitment to ensure every young person has a place at a great local public school as well as its commitment to reducing carbon emissions.
The ACT is leading the nation in climate action and school infrastructure is one way that the government can make a big difference towards reducing carbon emissions on behalf of the Canberra community.
In 2016 ACT Labor committed to building a school in Molonglo Valley and the 2018 Budget provided $47 million for a new preschool to Year 6 that will provide a state of the art education facility focusing on 21st century education philosophies and will be the Canberra's second zero emissions school.
The design of the school facility will focus on sustainability and environmental design following in the footsteps of Canberra's first zero emissions school, Margaret Hendry School.
The school will use technologies that maximise the efficient use of electricity in addition to the use of onsite generation of renewable energy to support the ACT’s target of zero net greenhouse gas emissions by 2045.
The ACT Government is committed to doing the heavy lifting when it comes to action on climate change to reduce the impact on Canberra families.
We're doing work like this across all ACT public schools;
- All 88 public schools in the ACT have roof top solar panels representing a total of 2,356 kilowatts of solar photovoltaic arrays.
- Last year, 21 schools had draught-proofing completed on doors helping to reduce heating requirements.
- Roofing upgrades see poorly insulated roofs upgraded to R4 insulation reducing gas consumption and air conditioning requirements and can reduce carbon emissions by 20 per cent.
- The ACT Government is investing $15.9 million over four years across nine public schools for an Energy Efficient Heating System Renewal program which is expected to save 621 tonnes of carbon dioxide annually.
- The government has also invested in a tree planting program which is increasing the numbers of trees around school buildings is assisting with the long-term management of heating and cooling.
During the financial year ending June 2018, the ACT Government reduced the energy consumption of public schools by 8.39 per cent through energy efficiency initiatives including infrastructure upgrades. This achievement is well above the overall carbon emissions reduction target of 3 per cent.
ACT public schools provide a great example of sustainable development in public facilities, and they set a positive example for our students and the whole community.
Following a rigorous tender process, Joss Construction Pty Ltd has been engaged to deliver the new school in Molonglo Valley. Detailed design work for construction has already begun, with construction expected to start on the new school later this year to be ready for operation for the start of the 2021 school year.
The school will be built in two stages, with the first stage including the P-6 school, which will cater for up to 644 students. The second stage of construction will include the 7-10 school, which will cater for 600 students.
The school facilities will also be designed for community use for the growing Molonglo Valley community.
Early next year, the local community will have the opportunity to input into the school name, uniform and logo as part of the community engagement strategy for the school.
Every Canberra public school is a great school and Canberra's 89th public school is on its way for 2021.
- Statement ends -
Yvette Berry, MLA | Media Releases
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