Schools across the Whittlesea municipality will share in a $515 million in the single largest boost to school maintenance ever undertaken, thanks to an unprecedented investment by the Andrews Labor Government.
The investment will more than double funding for maintenance at Victoria’s state schools over the next two financial years, with more than $300 million to be invested in 2019/20 and $290 million in 2020/21.
State Members of Parliament Bronwyn Halfpenny, Colin Brooks, Danielle Green and Lily D’Ambrosio welcomed $3.73 million in funding to support 31 schools across the municipality.
The funding will enable local state schools to do essential works such as painting, replacing carpet and windows, landscaping, tree inspections and maintenance of infrastructure like septic systems and water services.
This increased investment will assist principals to get on with the job of leading Victoria’s schools, by providing more funds to maintain the state’s 36,000 school buildings, while supporting schools to cater to the 115,000 additional students who are expected to enter the education system over the next five years.
The package complements the Labor Government’s recent initiatives to support schools to manage and maintain their facilities, including the Rolling Facilities Evaluation and the rollout of maintenance plans for each school.
The Andrews Labor Government is investing $170.5 million in emergency and incident response over five years, including an extra $57.8 million to address issues such as septic system failure, termite damage, mould, roof and floor damage, and $76.4 million to respond to unforeseen incidents and events such as storms, fire or flooding.
Schools in some of the state’s highest-risk bushfire areas will also have access to more funds to ensure they are ‘bushfire ready’, thanks to $44.2 million over five years for fire preparedness activities like vegetation removal.
Quotes attributable to Member for Yan Yean Danielle Green “Sometimes the little things can make a big difference. Whether it’s a new coat of paint or replacing carpets – this investment will help local students get the most out of their education in a safe, maintained and modern school.”
Quotes attributable to Member for Mill Park Lily D’Ambrosio “The Victorian Government is investing $515 million in our state schools to ensure students can attend a great local school and get a great education.”
Quotes attributable to Member for Thomastown Bronwyn Halfpenny
“Following on from recent maintenance evaluations, we’re investing in schools to fix those niggly repairs and make our schools safer for students.”
Quotes attributable to Member for Bundoora Colin Brooks
“The Andrews Labor Government is investing this funding to ensure that every student can attend a great local primary, secondary or specialist public school by tackling maintenance issues proactively.”