BENTLEY Hospital lost $10 million and Willetton Senior High School $11.8 million in last Thursday’s State Budget.
Riverton MLA Mike Nahan has come out swinging, describing the loss of school funds as a “betrayal of the local community”.
“It is incredibly disappointing that the Riverton electorate is not only being ignored, but money is being ripped out left, right and centre to fund projects elsewhere,” Dr Nahan said.
Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE
Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.
READ NOWPremier Mark McGowan’s office said to date $53.5 million had been invested in Willetton Senior High School to modernise its facilities.
“Dr Nahan as Treasurer and the previous State Government blew the boom and wrecked the State’s finances and as a result all capital works have to be under review,” it said.
“In the budget situation we were faced with we had to reprioritise projects of importance.”
The first stage of the school’s redevelopment cost $39.2 million and included an education support classroom and lecture theatre, new building for arts, media and music, a new performing arts area, and new science building with an observatory.
A new building was built for IT and business studies and the school gym was extended.
The second stage of $14.3 million included new English and VET classrooms, an enclosed eating area, toilets, carparking, medical centre and landscaping.
The anticipated school funding for 2018-19 and 2019-20 to complete the third stage was reallocated for to support the delivery of the Government’s school-related election commitments, according to the Budget.
Dr Nahan said the funding would have built 24 new classrooms and three incidental learning areas.
The $10 million for Bentley Hospital’s redevelopment has been reallocated to Royal Perth Hospital to address “priority fire safety needs” at the tertiary hospital.
MORE: State Budget 2017: $441m commitment to make Yanchep rail line a reality
MORE: State Budget 2017: Metronet commitment the centre of southern suburbs funding
MORE: State Budget 2017: Funding for Ellenbrook rail line pushed back
MORE: State Budget 2017: Wyatt sets WA on road to recovery, surplus tipped by 2021