Government opens tender to demolish Katanning Residential College where WA paedophile abused boys

The State Government is advertising the tender for the demolition of the Katanning Residential College — the site where one of WA’s worst paedophiles preyed on young boys over a 12-year period. The decision to demolish the site that closed in 2009 comes after an extensive community and stakeholder consultation process in 2023. An assessment of buildings adjacent to the site, which do not form part of the St Andrew’s Hostel complex and are no longer used by students, has been completed. The Department of Education has found that none of the buildings in the complex are suitable for repurposing. The demolition works are expected to take six to 12 months to complete, and involves all buildings, fixtures, services and underground services. In his time as hostel warden at Katanning Residential College — known as St Andrews Hostel until the 1990s — Dennis John McKenna sexually abused 28 boys. McKenna has a total of 63 convictions in relation to 28 complainants and was sentenced to 22 years in prison. He will complete his sentence in November 2026. McKenna had his bid for parole denied by the WA Prisoners Review board in late October. Education Minister Tony Buti said the Department of Education plans to involve survivors and others affected by the crimes committed at the college in the creation of a permanent memorial or remembrance space to acknowledge the abuse that occurred between the 1970s and 1990s. “This is a very sensitive process, but I am pleased we’re moving forward with the demolition of these facilities,” he said. “Survivors, former hostel residents and family members will be involved in the next stage, as the Department of Education looks to develop a design brief for a memorial or remembrance space on or near the site.” The group will work alongside an art consultant to develop a brief and decide on the final design. Following the demolition of the complex the vacant land will be disposed of through the Government’s land divestment processes.