Construction on the $32.5 million expansion of Unley High School has begun, as thousands of households in Adelaide’s inner south are set to be included in the school’s zone from next year.
The upgrade forms part of the Marshall Liberal Government’s record $1.3 billion education build, which is delivering more than 100 major school building projects across South Australia.
Construction at Unley High School is expected to deliver 117 jobs over the course of the project.
Unley High School’s zone has recently been expanded from the 2021 school year onwards, with Springbank Secondary College set to become an unzoned school and the entirety of its zone merged into the Unley zone.
This means the suburbs of Westbourne Park, Cumberland Park, Clarence Gardens, Clarence Park, Kings Park, Black Forest, Melrose Park, Daw Park, Colonel Light Gardens, Lower Mitcham, Clapham, Pasadena, Panorama and St Marys, as well as additional parts of Hawthorn and Millswood, are all now included in the Unley High zone.
Premier Steven Marshall said the upgrade would deliver world class facilities for local families while delivering local jobs.
“We are 100 per cent focused on dealing with the economic effects of the coronavirus pandemic, and our record-breaking $1.3 billion education infrastructure build is delivering thousands of construction jobs at a crucial time,” said Premier Marshall.
“More than 100 school building projects will be delivered in the coming years, providing a solid pipeline of jobs and delivering a generational upgrade of schools across the state.
“This upgrade at Unley High School has been sorely needed for many years, and we’re pleased to be delivering it for families in Adelaide’s inner south.”
Education Minister John Gardner said families in the inner southern suburbs would be very excited to see building works underway at the school.
“With its zone set to significantly expand from next year, thousands of families will be guaranteed a place for their child at Unley High School going forward,” said Minister Gardner.
“Concept images showcase a world class upgrade to the school’s facilities and the local community will be eager to see work progress rapidly in the coming months.
“The Marshall Government’s $1.3 billion education build is meeting a range of critical needs, including lifting capacity for schools where there is growing demand, improving facilities and ensuring that Year 7 transitions into high school – all while delivering thousands of much needed jobs for South Australians.”
Lendlease Building SA General Manager Chris Leopold said the Unley High School build would help create vital jobs for South Australians.
“We are currently supporting the South Australian Government across multiple projects, working to ensure enhanced educational facilities are available for when student populations at local high schools increase,” said Mr Leopold.
“Importantly, these projects are also creating the opportunity to provide a vital source of jobs to South Australians during the COVID-19 crisis.”
Nearby unzoned schools are also receiving major upgrades, with a $5 million upgrade underway at Mitcham Girls High School and $10 million upgrades set to occur at both Urrbrae Agricultural High School and Springbank Secondary College.
More information on the progress on the Marshall Government’s $1.3 billion education build can be found on the Department for Education website.
A map of the expanded Unley High School zone can be found here.
