Monday 23 September 2024

Schools in Northern Victoria are receiving a boost to essential maintenance projects, thanks to the Victorian Labor Government.

Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes announced 5 schools across Northern Victoria are among 59 to share in over $20 million in funding for 62 maintenance projects under the Planned Maintenance Program (PMP).

The schools include Wangaratta West Primary School, Cobram Primary School, Cohuna Secondary College and Orrvale Primary School, Merbein P-10 College, Nichols Point Primary School, Irymple Primary School and Mildura South Primary School.

The PMP provides funding to address high-priority maintenance issues across Victoria’s government schools.

The program ensures schools can undertake essential work in classrooms and other school buildings such as fixing roofs and replacing windows, painting, and resurfacing floors, as well as some external works like improving pathways.

Works are determined by a rolling facilities evaluation process, which provides up-to-date information on the condition of schools to create a faster and more targeted allocation of funding.

The Victorian Government has invested $16.9 billion over the past 10 years to build new schools and deliver more than 2,200 school upgrades − supporting more than 26,000 jobs in construction and associated industries.

It is now ahead of schedule in its commitment to open 100 new schools by 2026, with 75 new schools opening between 2019 and 2024.

The Victorian Government is building the Education State so every student can access a great local school and a quality education no matter where they live.

For a list of schools receiving funding under the Planned Maintenance Program, visit schoolbuildings.vic.gov.au/planned-maintenance-program.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Education Ben Carroll:

“This program is about ensuring that every Victorian school is kept up-to-date, so that every child can access a high-quality education in a high-quality environment.”

“We are constantly evaluating our schools and making sure every single classroom is safe, engaging, and will complement the top-class education we are committed to providing.”

Quotes attributable Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes

“I’m delighted to see local schools share in this funding making sure students have the best facilities to learn in.”