Mr Wettenhall asked the Minister for Education and Training (Mr Wilson) Will the Minister detail the projects in the Barron River Electorate funded throught the Building the Education Revolution program?

ANSWER:
I thank the member for his question and the ongoing attention he has given to the education of Far North Queenslanders.

The Australian Government has committed funding of $14.7b over three years to provide new facilities and refurbishments in Australian schools through the Building the Education Revolution (BER) program. Funding for Queensland state and non-state schools includes:

• $1.8b (state) and $835.3m (non-state) to build or refurbish large scale infrastructure in primary, P-12 (primary component) and special schools, with focus on libraries and multi-purpose halls under the Primary Schools for the 21st Century element
• $1.65.2m (state) and $71.7m (non-state) to refurbish/renew existing infrastructure and build minor infrastructure in schools under the National School Pride element
• $1.55.3 (state) and $44.5m (non-state) for science laboratories or language learning centres in secondary schools under the Science and Language Centres for the 21st Century Secondary Schools element.

Many of these projects are now well under way. They are either at the design or construction phase and helping to retain and create jobs in the building, construction and associated industries, as well as stimulate the economy in all parts of Queensland.

The Australian Government has approved for state schools in the Barron River Electorate:

• 12 projects in seven schools totalling $16.35m for libraries, halls and other large scale infrastructure
• 21 projects in eight schools totalling $1.35m for a range of small scale refurbishments and renewal projects

The Australian Government has also approved a Science and Language Centre to be constructed at Kuranda District State College at a cost of $1.69m. Planning has commenced on the project and construction work will commence shortly with an anticipated completion date prior to July 2010.

Work on large scale projects in the Barron River electorate under the Primary Schools for the 21st Century element are at various stages with work on a resource centre and multi-purpose hall at Kuranda District State College being completed shortly.

Work on a range of small scale refurbishment and renewal projects in all eight schools successful under the National School Pride element, is at various stages with refurbishment projects at Caravonica State School, Kuranda District State College, Trinity Beach State School and Yorkeys Knob State Schools now complete.