Albany high schools’ $20m funding windfall

The Liberal campaign blitz across Albany continues this morning with the WA Premier announcing $20 million from the proposed sale of Western Power to refurbish the Albany and North Albany Senior High Schools.

The two Albany schools have been allocated $10 million each as part of the Liberal party’s $560 million plan to revitalise 69 school state-wide.

New classrooms and specialist learning facilities including media, computer labs, food and textiles and science have been flagged for the Albany high schools as well as upgrades of existing classrooms.

Premier Colin Barnett said this was a once-in-a-generation opportunity.

“The partial sale of Western Power will allow us to bring older high schools up to 21st Century standards across the board,” he said.

“A vote for the Liberals will result in this work happening. A vote for Labor will see it delayed for 20 years or more,” Mr Barnett said.

Liberal candidate for Albany Greg Stocks said the school communities would be involved in deciding which projects go ahead.

“I am looking forward to working with parents and the principal to decide which upgrades will work best for our students,” Mr Stocks said.

Labor have previously pledged $3 million for upgrades at Mt Lockyer Primary School and committed to rebuilding the early childhood centre at Flinders Park Primary School.

Albany MLA Peter Watson said the Labor party opposed the sale of Western Power.