A pre-election promise by the Cook Government to invest $30 million in the redevelopment of Como Secondary College has been met with criticism over underfunding and an extended timeline for completion. The announcement was made during the lead-up to the March 2025 elections, where the local member, Geoff Baker, relied heavily on this commitment to secure the Labor Party’s hold on the South Perth electorate. This pledge was crucial in maintaining the seat for the second time in 75 years, despite an 8.5 percent swing towards the Liberal candidate, Bronwyn Waugh.
Funding and Timeline Concerns
According to internal documents from the Department of Education reviewed by The West Australian, the redevelopment will occur in stages over a seven-year period. The Cook Government has not allocated any construction funding in the current budget. The pledged $30 million will only cover the initial phase of the redevelopment, with the total expected project cost anticipated to nearly double.
Como Secondary College, which first opened its doors in 1969, has long been in need of upgrades. A 2022 audit highlighted the necessity for improvements that could only be undertaken if funding became available. A briefing note from the department in 2021 acknowledged that the school’s facilities fell below current standards and indicated plans to seek capital funding in future budgets for significant upgrades.
“The school requires major upgrades to ensure it can offer and deliver a modern curriculum to its secondary-aged students into the future,” the document stated.
Political Reactions and Criticism
Liam Staltari, the Shadow Education Minister, criticized the Cook Government for its perceived neglect of the school. He highlighted the disparity in funding priorities, pointing out that while the government appears to prioritize projects such as the Burswood Racetrack, Como Secondary College students face a lengthy wait for necessary upgrades.
“At election time, Premier Cook was quick to talk up ‘planned upgrades’ and splash them across social media. But now the election is over, we learn Como Secondary College has been only allocated modest funding,” Mr. Staltari stated.
He expressed concern that, under the current timeline, students would graduate before any new facilities could be utilized. “It’s an insult to the teachers, parents, and students at Como that the Government can fully fund and fast-track its Burswood Racetrack as a top priority, while their school is left in limbo,” Mr. Staltari added.
A spokesperson for the Cook Government confirmed the commitment of $30 million towards expanding Como Secondary College, with $650,000 earmarked in the 2024-25 State Budget for planning. The spokesperson noted that T&Z Architects have been appointed to initiate design works, and the department continues to collaborate closely with the school on the redevelopment project.
“We remain committed to delivering on our 2025 election commitments in this term of Government,” the spokesperson stated. No timeline has yet been provided for when construction is set to commence.
The situation at Como Secondary College underscores ongoing debates about educational funding and priorities within the state, raising questions about how effectively the Cook Government will address the pressing needs of its schools.
