Perth Voice Interactive

THE Barnett government is pledging 650 new spots for the bustling Mt Lawley senior high school with $39 million on the table if re-elected.

The lack of school spots has been a growing issue for parents in the area, with the other major high school nearby, Churchlands SHS, full to bursting. The number of students at Churchlands is projected to increase from 2500 in 2016 to 4000 by 2025.

When we spoke to parents last year the favoured solution was a new school nearby. There are future plans from the Libs to build a college at City Beach but in the meantime the expansion of Mt Lawley is intended as a stopgap measure.

Struggle

Mt Lawley Liberal MP Michael Sutherland told the Voice via email Mt Lawley high is “an excellent school”.

“I have had many enquiries from parents who struggle to get their children into the school,” he says.

“This expansion should be welcomed within the suburbs surrounding the school.”

The $39m will pay for new facilities for science, visual arts, performing arts, food and textiles, design and technology and general learning classrooms. There’ll be space for 300 extra students within four years and 650 come 2022.

To deal with the student boom the Liberals had also previously committed $38.8m to expand Churchlands and $60m has been allocated for the City Beach College build.

by DAVID BELL