02 May 2018 Wangaratta Chronicle, Wangaratta VIC (General News) A $2.2 MILLION allocation to plan new school buildings for Wangaratta District Specialist School and Appin Park Primary School was confirmed in yesterdays State Government 2018-19 budget. In line with a pre-budget announcement, the two schools are set to share in the funding, which will increase school capacity and allow for detailed planning of new infrastructure. A spokesperson for Jaclyn Symes (MLC, Northern Victoria) said at the time of the April announcement that the two schools would work with the Victorian School Building Authority this year, and consult with community stakeholders, with plans to hopefully be completed by the end of 2018 or early 2019. It is hoped the planning can be completed in time for the next state budget so more funding can be secured in 2019. WDSS has been working for the past four years to highlight its need for a larger, purpose-built campus to cater for increasing demand, and has estimated it would cost about $12 million to plan and build the infrastructure. Appin Park currently has an enrolment of 205 students, and hopes to initially refurbish, and eventually replace older buildings.Licensed by Copyright Agency. You may only copy or communicate this work with a licence.