Families waiting for the promised new Holmview primary school will have to wait another year, while a Department of Education spokesperson said project delays had helped push its State Budget cost estimate $7.52 million higher.
The spokesperson attributed the increase to “market escalation arising from project delays” and external roadworks required under the project’s planning designation.
The total estimated cost listed for the school rose from $86.292 million in the 2025–26 Capital Statement to $93.812 million in the new State Budget — an increase of 8.7 per cent in one year.
But the department’s project page, last updated on June 3, separately lists a $99.8 million budget — almost $6 million higher than the Capital Statement figure published later that month.
Asked about the $5.988 million gap, the department instead explained the $7.52 million increase between successive State Budgets.
The school was originally intended to open in 2026, before being pushed back to 2027 and now 2028.
On June 3, Education Minister John-Paul Langbroek told Parliament the project was facing challenges including road and stormwater upgrades, significant rock requiring blasting, a high-pressure gas main, asbestos-containing material and fire ants.
He said the gas main had caused “challenges and delays”, while the asbestos and fire ants required “strict control and remediation measures”.
“Holmview’s opening date has now been revised to 2028 instead of next year,” Mr Langbroek said.
“I share the disappointment of local residents who were looking forward to sending their children to this school next year.”
Mr Langbroek blamed the former Labor government for problems with the project, telling Parliament the detailed business case was developed in late 2021 and early 2022 before a site had been secured.
He quoted the business case as saying the master plan was based on “desktop site investigations and evaluation only” because the land had not yet been acquired.
Mr Langbroek said extensive civil works began in August 2025.
The Department of Education spokesperson said complexities associated with developing the site and supporting local infrastructure had affected both the project’s timeline and construction cost.
The spokesperson said the government announced the delay as soon as it became aware the school could not safely open for the start of 2027.
The school remained on track to open for the first day of the 2028 school year, the spokesperson said.
They also said existing local schools had enough capacity to cater for forecast enrolment demand until then.
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