Two Snowy schools received $850,000 each for new libraries as part of the Federal Government’s Building the Education Revolution (BER) economic stimulus program earlier this year but building has commenced in just one schoolyard.
The principal of Snowy Mountains Grammar School (SMGS) is thrilled with his near lock-up stage library, whereas the principal of Berridale Public School is frustrated and yet to see his eventuate.
Berridale principal Ian McCluggage said getting a library was wonderful. He said he and his community were pleased with the Federal Government but angry with the NSW State Government who manage the BER funds.
“When I look at what Snowy Mountains Grammar School is doing with their $850,000 compared to the modular demountable we’re getting, I believe there is so much money just not reaching the ground level where it should be,” Mr McCluggage said.
“We are getting a plonk down demountable and we understood we were getting solar panels and a 10,000 litre water tank. At the moment nobody can tell if they’re there, and from what I can see they’re not on the plans,” he said.
Mr McCluggage said he was given the opportunity to manage his library project but it was impossible. He said Berridale Public School would have had to pay GST in advance and tie up $170,000 for contingency costs and as a security deposit.
Andrew Rostron, principal of SMGS, said his school jumped at the BER funding so quickly the NSW Department of Education and Training (DET) construction guidelines often came to his attention after the relevant work had been completed.
“When I went to the [BER] briefing in Sydney I understood the funds were going to every school with a factor for general job creation and economic stimulation in each town. That was my understanding of the philosophy and we’ve certainly followed that philosophy,” Mr Rostron said.
“We’re getting fantastic value for money,” he said.
Snowy River Shire Mayor John Cahill wants to ensure Berridale’s library project will also represent value for money.
“The [Berridale parents and citizens] committee have provided me with information regarding the apparent extreme expense of this building. The state is giving the pie but it’s federal money and they should be making sure they get value for money,” Cr Cahill said.
The mayor intends to raise the issue when he meets with federal and state members next week. Member for Monaro Steve Whan said of the 22 primary schools getting this funding around his electorate, only Berridale seemed to have serious problems. In a handful of cases Mr Whan said he has intervened to ensure schools get what they want within the guidelines of the federal government.
“What [the state government] is doing is managing a process for hundreds and hundreds of schools and the schools were at liberty to manage the process themselves. No doubt there are some people frustrated with what they are getting for the money but this was a tender process and we can’t tell contractors what to put in a tender,” Mr Whan said.
“[The Berridale library] is a prefab structure but it’s a permanent structure and obviously there is work to do on the ground. Local contractors have the opportunity to tender for that work,” Mr Whan said.
Mr Whan said that the Berridale Public School toilet block built recently by the NSW government cost just under $4,800 per square metre and the library is forecast to cost $4,900 per square metre.
“They have made some comments that the library is costing double the price of the toilet block we built, but per metre the library is comparable. I understand that this is a frustrating process for some, but this is money that nobody would have had and we have to comply with federal guidelines,” Mr Whan said.
Mr Whan said the people of Berridale are entitled to question the BER process and ensure value for money but the way this is occurring at the moment is not particularly positive.
The NSW Department of Education BER regional program director for this area will come to Berridale for meetings on Monday.
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