The Andrews Labor Government will invest $4.5 million in Highton Primary School and Fyans Park Primary School as part of its program to remove asbestos from old school buildings, and replace them with brand new ones.
Minister for Education James Merlino made the announcement today during a visit to Highton Primary School in Geelong.
Highton Primary School will receive $2.5 million and Fyans Park Primary School $2 million for the demolition of old asbestos-ridden facilities and the construction of new buildings.
The main building at Highton Primary School will be demolished and replaced by a modular building, which will house classrooms, an art room and toilets.
At Fyans Park Primary School the administration building will be replaced with a modular building that will contain classrooms, an art room, staff area and student toilets.
These two schools are benefiting from an additional $85 million in funding in the Victorian Budget 2017/18 to install modular buildings in 30 schools where asbestos is being removed.
As part of the Asbestos Removal Program, poor condition buildings containing asbestos will be demolished and replaced with permanent modular buildings. This will reduce planning and building times, and mean less disruption to students, staff and teaching programs.
This is part of the Labor Government’s $155 million program for asbestos removal and building replacement.
A state-wide audit of 1,712 government schools was conducted and 497 schools were found to contain high-risk asbestos, which was removed by March 2016.
The modular buildings are expected to arrive on site at both schools and be ready for use by February 2018.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Education James Merlino
“We’re improving school infrastructure right across the state so every student has the opportunity to get the most out of their education.”
“The use of modular buildings allows us to remove dangerous asbestos with less disruption to our schools, which is a great outcome for local students, teachers and staff.”
Quotes attributable to Member for Geelong Christine Couzens
“This announcement builds on the $149 million we have already invested in school infrastructure across Geelong.”
“We’re improving the safety and amenity of schools right across Geelong by delivering schools upgrades and removing asbestos to make sure our schools are safe and fit for purpose.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020