Camp school preferred: Premier

Premier Mark McGowan says he wants Point Peron Camp School to remain an education-related facility and an expressions-of-interest process has started.

The State Government late last year announced education cuts, under which funding will cease for the camp school in Rockingham.

Since then, the Mangles Bay Marina proposal has also been axed by Planning Minister Rita Saffioti, leaving the area with an uncertain future.

The Telegraph reported last month former Rockingham MP Phil Edman had called on the Government to establish an inclusive public facility that could be used by education groups, government services, environ-mental advocates and tourism providers.

Mr McGowan said the process to find a provider was ongoing.

“We are going to have an expression-of-interest process to seek alternative providers of education opportunities at that facility, in particular opportunities for children to go and stay there,” he said.

“That is a process that we are entering into currently.

“I’d prefer it remained a camp for kids — if a not-for-profit operator or the local council or someone of that nature wants to come up with a plan, that would be my preferred option. The Point Peron School is a nice place and has a lot of memories for lots of people.

“The problem is that these facilities cost the State many millions of dollars to run each year and there are other options out there.

“We think there are alternatives available and that is why we are starting this ... process.”