The $40 million Manufacturing for Schools program used “modern methods of construction”, which aimed to cut costs of new schools by up to 20 per cent and construction time by up to 30 per cent. The contract was awarded to APP Group in February 2024 but was cancelled in July.
In a statement in July, the Department of Education said: “While the contract was not terminated because of an ICAC investigation, concerns have been raised on how the … tender was undertaken for this work, and we have referred those concerns to the ICAC.”
Manning was dismissed by the NSW Department of Education in February last year and received a termination payment. He was replaced by the deputy secretary of School Infrastructure NSW, Lisa Harrington, who is acting in the role.
The NSW government announced the Manufacturing for Schools program on February 29 last year, saying the program would deliver “cutting-edge construction techniques including digital technologies, off-site manufacturing and on-site assembly of prefabricated elements to deliver high-quality school buildings faster.”
At the time, the government said it would deliver schools at Sydney Olympic Park and Box Hill, Jordan Springs, Gregory Hills/Gledswood Hills, Leppington and Medowie. It would also be used for rebuilding schools on the North Coast damaged by floods.
“A contract has been awarded to The APP Group for the manufacturing partnership,” the NSW government’s release said.
The APP Group, a property and infrastructure company, said in a statement on its website last year that “collaboration partners” include building contractors and manufacturers Lipman, Ark, MBM, WSP, Woods Bagot, Bennett and Trimble, Richard Crookes Constructions, and Roberts Co.
Commissioner Paul Lakatos, SC, will preside over the public inquiry, which is set down for up to six weeks.
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