State to keep Greenwood school land as open space

Premier Alan Carpenter has announced that land at Allenswood Primary School in Greenwood is not for sale and will remain as open space.

Last June, the state government announced that East Greenwood and Allenswood Primary Schools would amalgamate and a new school would be built on the Allenswood site.

"The decision not to sell the land was made after Kingsley MLA Judy Hughes intervened and expressed her concerns about the proposal," he said.

"It was envisaged that a portion of the Allenswood Primary School site would be sold to help offset the cost of the new school and other educational projects.

"However, following a discussion with Ms Hughes, I came to the view that it's not in the community interest and the land should be kept as open space.

"The revised value of the East Greenwood site will now cover the costs of the new school.

"The local community has been well served by Ms Hughes' strong and rigorous advocacy on their behalf."

Ms Hughes said she was pleased the Government had listened to the voice of the community and scrapped the idea.

"The proposed sale was unnecessary, and the Government has made the right decision for the school and its community," Ms Hughes said.

The Premier said the new school would cater for 315 students from Kindergarten to Year Seven.

"The new school will have 10 classrooms, three early childhood education classrooms, a library/resource centre, a covered assembly area and canteen, music and art/craft facilities, dental therapy centre, administration and staff facilities," Mr Carpenter said.

"It will be a state-of-the-art school with the latest in computer technology including fibre optic cabling and a wireless network throughout all classrooms, and high-speed internet access for every student and teacher."

The school is expected to be completed in late 2009.