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Schools across Gippsland share in $11.24M upgrade funding as part of Victorian government maintenance blitz

Students and teachers at schools across Gippsland will benefit when the Victorian government's latest maintenance blitz gets underway.

By news@gippsland - 14th September 2022 - Back to News

Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing today announced that schools across Baw Baw Shire and Wellington Shire will be among 111 schools to share in the blitz - which includes painting, resurfacing and fixing roofs and windows - as part of the Term 3 Planned Maintenance Program.

Victorian government's maintenance blitz funding also covers an ongoing program to inspect and repair or replace solar power systems across Gippsland school campuses

School's shelter

Bona Vista Primary School will receive a total of $50,000 in funding; $45,000 will go towards high priority maintenance works on the school's Shelter in Place building, and $5,000 will be allocated to maintenance tasks to address the school's roof issues. Cowwarr Primary School will receive $135,000 in funding for high priority maintenance works on the school's Shelter in Place building.

Jindivick Primary School will receive $60,000 for high priority maintenance works on the school's Shelter in Place building. These works will be delivered by the Victorian School Building Authority on behalf of the school.

Rawson Primary School will receive a total of $35,000, including $20,000 to address high priority maintenance tasks identified in the school's Rolling Facilities Evaluation, and $15,000 for high priority maintenance tasks to address the school's roof issues.

Facility refurbishment

Warragul & District Specialist School will receive a total of $10,000, including $5,000 to address high priority maintenance tasks identified in the school's Rolling Facilities Evaluation, and $5,000 for high priority maintenance tasks to address the school's roof issues.

The program will see the schools share in $11.24 million of funding for the works to take place, which also includes replacing floors, works to grounds and classrooms and external landscaping works to pathways and lighting.

The blitz will ensure the schools are safe, modern, and properly upheld. It comes in addition to the $28.4 million in funding allocated over the last term, $4.27 million already provided to 47 schools through the Term 2 Planned Maintenance Program, and the $5.84 million provided to 57 schools through the Term 1 Planned Maintenance Program.

Ensuring student access

This funding also covers an ongoing program to inspect and repair or replace solar power systems across 737 school campuses. In the past eight years, the Andrews Labor government has invested $12.8 billion in building new schools and more than 1,850 school upgrades, creating around 17,400 jobs in construction and associated industries.

The Labor government is now ahead of schedule in opening 100 new schools by 2026, with 75 new schools opening between 2019 and 2024 - ensuring every student can access a great local school and a quality education no matter where they live.

Best environment for the students

Minister for Education Natalie Hutchins said, "This program is about ensuring that every Victorian school is well maintained and safe to provide the best possible environment for students to learn in."

"Our record investment in school infrastructure is delivering high quality classrooms for our hard-working principals, teachers and staff, as well as students and families." Ms Hutchkins said.

Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing said, "This investment ensures that schools across Gippsland are safe and comfortable, and that regional schools are getting the support they need to provide the best possible settings for students to learn and thrive in."

Pictures from Rawson Primary School website.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com