The interim review of the Federal Government's schools building stimulus program only received eight complaints about WA schools from almost 1400 WA projects that received funding.
The interim review of the Federal Government's schools building stimulus program only received eight complaints about WA schools from almost 1400 WA projects that received funding.
The chairman of the Building Education Revolution Implementation Task Force, Brad Orgill has released his interim report into the schools stimulus measures.
According to the report the Taskforce has received 254 complaints, which is just 2.7 per cent of all schools who received money for projects.
In WA that number was less where of the 1394 projects only schools in Beacon, Canning Vale, Walpole, Atwell, Como, Huntingdale, Mt Lawley and South Perth lodged complaints.
Of those complaints only the ones lodged by Beacon, Canning Vale and Walpole are yet to be resolved.
New South Wales government schools accounted for 56 per cent of complaints and Victorian Government schools for 20 per cent.
The taskforce said a number of issues were raised with it, including inflexibility both in terms of project specification and the capacity to reallocate funding to address priority needs; 'de-scoping' of projects if budgets came under pressure and a lack of information on costs.
The taskforces report concluded that, "Notwithstanding the validity of issues raised in the complaints, our overall observation is that this Australia wide program is delivering much needed infrastructure to school communities while achieving the primary goal of economic activity across the nation."
The WA Master Builders Association today welcomed the release of the Interim Report.
Director Michael McLean said the report re-affirms the view that the state government had overseen these projects in a responsible fashion.
He said it showed WA builders were providing "value for money" for the taxpayer.
"Regrettably, WA builders have been unfairly tainted by media and political commentary that have highlighted poor management practices of BER projects in other states, which we do not defend, but any criticism of those projects should not be applied to the WA construction industry," said Mr McLean.
"This Report has demonstrated the WA building industry can hold its head high as a world class leader in delivering high quality public sector projects that provide clients, including taxpayers, with excellent value for money," he said.
In all the taskforce made 14 recommendations to the government.
Prime Minister Julia Gillard said a re-elected Labor government would implement all 14 recommendations.
