Page 1363 - Week 04 - Thursday, 4 April 2019

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solar hot-water to provide low cost, zero emission hot-water; external shading to keep learning environments naturally cooler; and an air-conditioning system which can transfer heat from one part of the building to another as well as a cooling system that flushes cool night air into the school building during summer to reduce the need for cooling during the day.

Additional carbon reduction strategies are being rolled out in existing schools, and these include roof-mounted solar panels in public schools, LED lighting upgrades, insulation and glazing upgrades and sustainable transport options, as well as involving students and teachers in sustainability programs.

I was joined by the minister for climate change when I visited this school. One of the most exciting moments that the children had was tricking the lights by standing very still in the room, which meant that the lights could not detect that they were there.

MR PETTERSSON: Minister, how is the Margaret Hendry School meeting the growing needs of a growing region?

MS BERRY: More than 49,000 students attended public schools across Canberra this week, including those who joined the city’s newest school, Margaret Hendry School. This modern facility is the 88th public school in the ACT and will cater for 176 preschool and 600 primary school students, providing capacity for quality public education in this high growth region. The planning also allows for the accommodation of an additional 150 primary school students through future expansion if it is required to cater for growth.

In addition to Margaret Hendry School, capacity across the Gungahlin region will be increased by a further 1,200 places by 2022. This is being delivered through the expanding schools in Gungahlin and more places in Gungahlin schools programs.

The 2017-18 budget included an allocation of $24.072 million over four years for expanding schools in Gungahlin, including $18.6 million for Gold Creek School junior campus, Neville Bonner Primary School, Harrison School junior campus, Palmerston District Primary School and Franklin Early Childhood School.

A further $19.83 million over four years was announced in the 2018-19 budget for more places in Gungahlin schools. This will fund further expansion works at Gold Creek School as well as Neville Bonner and Amaroo junior and senior school sites. I look forward to continuing to deliver on our investments in schools and in education.

O’Malley—unauthorised activities

MRS JONES: My question is to the Minister for City Services. Minister, I refer to a letter dated 4 March 2019 sent to you by multiple residents of Bulwarra Close, O’Malley. In this letter residents have highlighted what they believe to be the unlawful use of a residential property for controlled activities as well as dangerous line-of-sight issues because of illegal parking in their street. Minister, what have you done to investigate the matter?


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