BUILDING BETTER, SAFER SCHOOLS IN WEST GIPPSLAND AND THE LATROBE VALLEY

Tuesday, 8 September 2020

 The Victorian Government will deliver vital maintenance and safety works at over 400 schools to support jobs and local businesses through the coronavirus pandemic and improve facilities for students and staff across Victoria.

Member for Eastern Victoria, Harriet Shing  today announced the local schools that will share in more than $15.3 million through the 2020-21 Bushfire Preparedness (Vegetation) Program and Planned Maintenance Program.

The Bushfire Preparedness funding will see 346 schools share in more than $9 million to clear vegetation and undertake other essential maintenance ahead of the upcoming bushfire season.

2020-21 Bushfire Preparedness (Vegetation) Program and Planned Maintenance Program local recipients:

  • Boolarra Primary School                                $19,953.21
  • Somers School Camp                                $21,042.21
  • Traralgon South Primary School $20,781.39
  • Tyers Primary School                                $18,970.40
  • Yinnar South Primary School                $17,244.80
  • Baringa Special School                                $21,177.15
  • Bona Vista Primary School                $15,440.74
  • Bulleen Heights School                                $27,002.17
  • Bunyip Primary School                                $24,745.02
  • Drouin Secondary College                $16,759.37
  • Jindivick Primary School $16,185.61
  • Labertouche Primary School                $16,509.55
  • Narracan Primary School                $15,320.79
  • Rawson Primary School $20,358.38
  • Rubicon Outdoor Centre, Nayook $19,438.55
  • Willow Grove Primary School                $18,530.72

 

109 schools will share in $6.3 million of Planned Maintenance Program funding for essential work to grounds and classrooms such as fixing roofs and windows, painting, resurfacing floors and replacing windows, as well as repairing landscaping like pathways and steps.

Over $2 million of this will go towards maintenance to Shelter-in-Place buildings at 12 schools, which provide temporary accommodation to staff and students in the case of a bushfir

Planned Maintenance Program local recipients:

Tyers Primary School Tyers Primary School will receive $85,000 to address high priority maintenance works on the school’s Shelter In Place building.
Moe (South Street) Primary School Moe (South Street) Primary School will receive $35,000 to address high priority maintenance, including arborist work, ceiling repair, door repair, surfacing work, fence repair, floor repair, handrail/balustrade repair, painting works, roof repair, shade structure repair, soffit repair, structural repair, wall repair and window repair.

 

Works with contractors will be carried out under COVID-19 advice guidelines to ensure the health and safety of staff and students.

If works can’t start immediately due to Stage 4 restrictions, offsite planning of these works and any that are essential for school safety will continue.

The Government is investing an unprecedented $7.2 billion in Victorian school infrastructure, which is delivering more than 1,460 school upgrades and 100 new schools by 2026 – ensuring every child can access a great local school where they can achieve their best.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Education James Merlino

“These projects will create jobs, boost local businesses and create safer schools for kids across the state.”

 “Our record investment in school infrastructure is delivering high quality classrooms for our hard-working principals, teachers and students.

Quote attributable to Member for Eastern Victoria, Harriet Shing

“This funding for bushfire preparedness and planned maintenance will make a really positive difference to many schools across West Gippsland and the Latrobe Valley, making them safer, more accessible and more modern learning and teaching environments.”