Modernisation & Expansion
What did we learn about design options and decision making from Freedom of Information (FOI) release?
Our aim is to:
What did we ask for in the August 2024 FOI request?
1. All documents, reports, and correspondence related to the decision-making process for the expansion and modernisation of Majura Primary School from 1 January 2022 to 6 August 2024.
2. The plans considered in the Design Options Study for expansion and modernisation of Majura Primary School.
3. The documents relating to the analysis of the options in the Design Options Study.
4. The documents relating to how the Education Directorate arrived at the Preferred Option for Final Sketch Plans.
5. The budget allocation documents and cost breakdowns for the project.
6. Records of community engagement activities and feedback received regarding the project or plans.
7. Any internal assessments or evaluations regarding the adequacy of current plans to meet the needs of current and projected future enrolments at Majura Primary School.
What do we have so far?
Document releases 1A (29/11/24), 1B (3/1/25) and 1C (24/1/25) include documents from January 2022 to July 2023 including meeting minutes, email correspondence and design presentations. These extracts show design options, Directorate decision making, and considerations relating to community consultation.
2020 Master Planning for 7 schools in City and Gateway Area
ACT Gov recognises that beyond 85% of capacity, utilisation of space becomes challenging for schools to uphold Class Size Policy
Government’s capacity calculations and inner-north primary school 2021 data showing multiple schools approaching capacity target of 85%
Examples provided for calculation
Discussion of expanding Majura Primary School up to 300 places
Meeting to outline expansion and modernisation priorities for Majura Primary School
Concerns raised over the proposed size of the expansion. Additional commentary that refurbishment should address aging infrastructure to deliver contemporary facilities designed to deliver modern pedagogy.
Consideration given to addition of a another two-room transportable and discussion of shortage of toilet facilities based on 2022 student numbers.
Directorate’s School Planning Team considered expansion onto neighbouring sites (sometime before March 2023?)
Challenges and opportunities for several different approaches
GHD appointed for Feasibility, Masterplanning, Preliminary Sketch Plans and Final Sketch Plans, with costings
Anticipated design timeline
Internal discussion on student numbers, design capacity, Feb 2023
33 K-6 classrooms counted in existing school (not including SGP)
Additional conversations regarding school capacity. Suggestion to design school for 870 capacity, not 1200. Mention of small size of Majura’s site.
“Current largest EDIS school size is 975 (K-6 870). A 300 place expansion on top of current capacity would push MPS to 1200, which far exceeds capacity projections and we do not have a brief or land space to support schools of this size.”
Response that existing standards should not drive the school expansion size target. “Majura will be the test case for a new way of designing schools”
Surveys undertaken, advice provided on current condition and use
Existing site survey dated 2012
Masterplan design proposals…
Directorate requirements for a new 975 student school
Services ‘clash’ in north-east corner noted
Masterplan options 2, 4, 5, 6 & 7
The Directorate queried inclusion of preschool on site. It seems there is confusion over the preschool being a separate campus.
“Best use of site” queried by consultant, direction given
Unclear why ED thought this without consultation
In June, additional advice received on growth projections, now specific to K-6. Comment in discussion that this might be an underestimate.
Other options were considered to retain or expand site area
Site expansion options
Directorate anticipates sensitive management, community engagement
Project awaits direction on using part of the oval
New communications & engagement plan drafted
Learning areas anticipated ready for 2025 school year, P&C funded gardens potentially relocated, Watson Oval cannot be used but unclear on decision process.
Education Directorate gives direction on two design options given protected trees and possibility of oval edge
Two approaches pursued in June, given trees and oval uncertainty
Option including oval edge land
At the February 2025 P&C meeting, Liz Bobos advised that she provided feedback on this plan. The access playground wasn’t needed, so the kitchen garden didn’t need to move. She strongly opposed the Hall’s location due to blocked sightlines to the oval and asked if it could be reoriented.
In late June 2023, further survey work was approved for Oval edge
Minister’s support sought for oval edge
Briefing to Minister
Concern about community response to use of oval edge
At this point, there is a gap in information from July 2023 to 2024. However, we have no evidence that any alternative design options were considered between those shown here and the selected design presented by the Education Directorate to the P&C in July (see next slide).
We are still awaiting the final stage of our FOI request, which should fill the remaining information gap. Although we were initially promised that the final FOI stage would be released by October 2024, repeated monthly follow-ups have been unsuccessful. As a result, we have now referred our request to the Commonwealth Ombudsman for assistance.
Design Presented to the P&C on July 31st 2024
No new hall/gym
No details on upgrades to existing infrastructure
A two-story 10-classroom building for 300 more students (or net gain of 6 classrooms without demountables)
A design that doesn't address the need for additional hardcourts/green spaces, or specialized learning areas for STEM and the arts.
In response to advocacy by the P&C and the broader community, the Education Minister and Education Directorate met with the School Board, P&C Committee, and School executives on August 21st, 2024. They acknowledged the lack of community engagement, agreed to pause the tender process, undertake broader community engagement, and initiate another master planning process.
The P&C's position to date is that we want a concrete commitment to a plan that will meet the needs of the current and projected future enrolments at the school and includes enough funding to achieve that plan. We strongly believe that any expansion and modernisation project should move our school closer to the Education Directorate Infrastructure Specifications on all measures. Given the drawn-out timeline for this project, we also want the government to prioritize improving the conditions for students enrolled now (e.g., adequate heating and cooling in classrooms), as the first priority.
Community consultation is a requirement of the planning process and should adhere to the ACT Government’s own Good Consultation Guidelines.
Queries from FOI that may be answered in a future release or through consultation