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Kids Stay Home While Labor BunglesA failure to complete new school buildings has resulted in a delayed start to the 2007 school year for some students, while others learn in makeshift classrooms. By Philip Davis - 2nd February 2007 - Back to News Shadow Minister for Education Philip Davis said today that Labor had even bungled a school project in the Premier’s own backyard, with Williamstown High School Bayview Campus students sitting at home this week because their classrooms are not ready.
"If the Bracks Government cannot manage to get a school project complete in Steve Bracks’ own electorate, what hope is there for government schools throughout the rest of Victoria?" Mr Davis said.
"The 2007 school year began on Wednesday, but school for these Williamstown students has now been delayed, while they wait for the Bracks Labor Government to deliver on its commitment."
Mr Davis said Labor had also failed to deliver its promise of a new P-12 college at Caroline Springs.
"Students at Caroline Springs have been herded into temporary classrooms, and cannot expect to move into their new buildings until third term," he said.
"The full upgrade of Newcomb Secondary College is still under construction, despite completion being promised for January 2007.
"Students who expected to start their school year at the new Mill Park Lakes Primary School have been sorely disappointed, instead forced to bunk in with students at Morang South Primary School until their new buildings are complete.
"The site of the new Rockbank Primary School is still a vacant block of land. Labor promised this new school would be opened by April 2005, but students have begun the 2007 school year still at the old site.
"These examples are just a small sample of the wider problem we have here. Schools across Victoria are waiting for promised upgrades and new classrooms, but the Bracks Labor Government is unable to handle major projects.
"Labor’s Classroom Replacement Program was scheduled to have projects completed by February 2007, but that has now blown out to June 2007.
"Having children delay their start to the school year because classrooms are unavailable is a disgrace.
"Cramming students, who have been promised new classrooms, into temporary or old, rotting classrooms in the interim is clearly unacceptable.
"The Bracks Labor Government must start taking responsibility for its failures in education and smarten up its act."
Source: http://gippsland.com/ Published by: news@gippsland.com
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Danny O'Brien welcomed long-overdue progress on Sealers Cove track repairs at Wilsons Prom but criticised Labor for years of delays, saying Gippsland deserves timely investment in vital tourism infrastructure and facilities. - Bass Coast Shire Council delivers new shared path linking Cowes and Ventnor, boosting transport safety and community connectivity
Bass Coast Shire Council will deliver a new 2km Ventnor Road Shared Path, linking Cowes and Ventnor, improving safety, accessibility, and community connectivity. The $1.96m project is jointly funded with the Australian government. - Gippsland Water invests $6.8M in new generators to ensure reliable water and wastewater services during emergencies
Gippsland Water has invested $6.8 million in 25 new generators, strengthening emergency resilience, reducing service interruptions, protecting water and wastewater operations, and supporting the national grid when not in use. - East Gippsland Agricultural Sector Advisory Committee welcomes new members to strengthen engagement with farming
East Gippsland's Agricultural Sector Advisory Committee welcomed new members, enhancing council's connection with farming communities while tackling key priorities like renewable energy, drought resilience, mental health, and pest animal challenges. - East Gippsland Water launches new Voice of Customer program to enhance service through feedback
East Gippsland Water has launched a new Voice of Customer program, inviting feedback via SMS surveys to guide service improvements, with participants eligible for monthly $50 water bill credits. - Celebrate Korumburra Railway Precinct new skatepark with skate clinics, demos, activities and community giveaways
Celebrate the new Korumburra Railway Precinct skatepark on Friday, 13 March, 3.30pm, with skate clinics, demonstrations, group activities, and giveaways for skateboarders, roller skaters, scooter, and bike riders. - Omeo Mountain Bike Trails update - new website, shuttle services, and summer 114km launch
Omeo Mountain Bike Trails has launched a new website and shuttle services, with 40 km open now and the full 114 km network officially debuting this summer for riders nationwide. - Latrobe City invites local artists to join new Public Art Artist Register for murals and creative city projects until 10 February 2026
Latrobe City Council invites local artists to join its Public Art Artist Register, offering paid mural opportunities, enhancing public spaces, supporting tourism, and connecting artists with future creative projects. - Darren Chester celebrates Community College Gippsland’s new Morwell Facility supporting education and regional workforce development
Darren Chester welcomed Community College Gippsland’s new Morwell facility, celebrating its role in empowering students, supporting vocational education, and strengthening Gippsland’s workforce and regional communities. - Danny O’Brien urges Gippsland landholders to understand new property taxes and reporting obligations effective from 1 January 2026
Danny O’Brien urged Gippsland landholders to understand new property taxes and reporting obligations from 1 January 2026, warning compliance is essential to avoid penalties despite Nationals’ opposition. - Bass Coast Shire Council awards contract for new Thompson Reserve pavilion, boosting Inverloch sport and community facilities
Bass Coast Shire Council has awarded Kubale Constructions to build a modern Thompson Reserve pavilion, enhancing facilities, supporting local clubs, and promoting inclusive sport opportunities for women, girls and the community. - Danny O'Brien says Gippsland roads among state's most dangerous after years of neglect under Allan Labor government
Danny O'Brien says new AusRAP data shows many Gippsland roads are unsafe after years of Labor neglect, criticising the government for lowering speed limits instead of properly fixing deteriorating roads. - Bairnsdale's Shannon Waters Estate residents receive new digital water meters as East Gippsland Water expands roll-out
Shannon Waters Estate residents in Bairnsdale are receiving new digital water meters, enabling near-real-time usage tracking, early leak detection, and faster service, following a successful Bemm River trial. - Gippsland CFA volunteers still wait for critical fire station upgrades amid $55M Labor funding cuts
Gippsland CFA volunteers face years-long delays for safe, modern fire stations as Labor cuts $55 million, reducing equipment, compensation, and infrastructure, putting communities at risk and demanding urgent funding. - Melina Bath invites community to apply for CSEF Grants Open 2026, supporting eligible families with school camps, sports, excursions costs
Eligible families can now apply for the 2026 Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund, helping cover costs of school camps, excursions, sports, and outdoor education through their child’s school. - Construction begins on Western Park Oval 2 Pavilion, including new curator shed and upgraded female-friendly facilities
Construction has started on Western Park Oval 2 Pavilion, beginning with a new curator shed, supporting local sports growth, female-friendly facilities, and community recreation, funded by Council and a government grant. - Baw Baw Shire Council appoints experienced leader Tilla Buden as new chief executive officer commencing on November 2025
Baw Baw Shire Council has appointed Tilla Buden as its new CEO, bringing extensive leadership experience and community focus. She will formally commence in the role on 17 November 2025. - Danny O’Brien urges Gippsland tobacco retailers to obtain licences as new state licensing scheme is enforced from 1 February 2026
Danny O’Brien urges Gippsland tobacco retailers to comply with Victoria’s new licensing scheme, aiming to curb illegal sales, organised crime, and ensure consistent enforcement for safer regional communities. - Victoria’s crime crisis worsens as police numbers fall, offences rise, and station hours are reduced under Labor government
Victoria’s crime crisis worsens under Labor with 368 fewer police, rising offences, unsolved cases, reduced station hours, and retail theft surging, prompting calls for proper resourcing and crime prevention. - Baw Baw Shire Council invites community to provide feedback on the new Alan Croxford Playground design by 20 March 2026
Baw Baw Shire Council invites community feedback on two new Alan Croxford Playground designs, aiming to create a safe, engaging, and family-friendly space in Rawson through the Playground Renewal Program. - Darren Chester secures 2M for Western Lakes Entrance upgrades underway, new pathway and safety improvements to benefit all users
Safety upgrades on Lakes Entrance western approach are progressing, with a new pathway, improved barriers, and intersection works set to benefit motorists, pedestrians, and visitors before the Christmas peak. - Darren Chester supports community-driven campaign to attract new GP and strengthen Lakes Entrance healthcare
Darren Chester welcomed a community-led campaign in Lakes Entrance to recruit a new GP, boosting healthcare access, training opportunities, and promoting the region’s lifestyle and workforce benefits. - Danny O’Brien urged immediate start on Wilsons Promontory revitalisation, including the proposed Yanakie Isthmus fence
The Allan Labor government faces criticism for ongoing delays to the Wilsons Promontory sanctuary, with Nationals MP Danny O’Brien urging immediate construction to protect wildlife and complete the long-promised project. - Darren Chester welcomes safer Kalimna to Lakes Entrance walking path upgrade completed before Christmas period
Gippsland MP Darren Chester says thousands are enjoying the upgraded Kalimna-Lakes Entrance walking path, with new asphalt, safety barriers and intersection improvements completed before Christmas for locals and visitors. - Melina Bath slams Agriculture Minister Ros Spence for ignoring Gippsland farmers' struggles under Labor's tax regime
Melina Bath criticised Agriculture Minister Ros Spence for refusing to advocate for Gippsland farmers, citing VFF survey results showing overwhelming concern over new taxes and Labor's disregard for regional agriculture.
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