Premier

Rural And Regional Schools Finally Get The Funding They Deserve

27 April 2016

The Andrews Labor Government is ending the neglect of secondary schools in regional and rural Victoria.

As part of the Victorian Budget 2016/17External Link , every single secondary school classified as being in the worst condition will receive funding for a much needed upgrade.

Across regional and rural Victoria 61 projects will receive funding for upgrades, planning and land acquisition to finally give students the modern facilities they deserve.

The Budget invests over $200 million in regional schools, including:

  • $151 million for modernising, upgrading, and regenerating 39 schools, including Red Cliffs Secondary College, Drouin Secondary College, Brauer Secondary College, Broadford Secondary College, and Mansfield Secondary College
  • Planning for a further six schools, including Baimbridge College and Wonthaggi Secondary College
  • 15 other regional schools will receive a share of the $16 million School Pride and Sports Fund, including Natimuk Primary School, Harston Primary School, and Undera Primary School
  • Land acquisition in Armstrong Creek for a new primary school in the future

In addition to the 61 school projects funded in this Budget, hundreds more schools will receive help through special maintenance funding, Inclusive School grants, asbestos removal, Shared Facilities Grants or the Doctors in Schools program.

The Labor Government is delivering $924 million to build and upgrade schools – the largest ever single investment by a Victorian government in school infrastructure. The Government is also spending $200 million to better maintain existing school facilities across the state. This means an additional $1.1 billion is being spent to build, upgrade and maintain Victorian schools in this Budget.

Projects will be delivered by the new Victorian School Building Authority, which will manage this billion dollar education and construction investment.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Education James Merlino

“This education Budget will bring the secondary schools in regional and rural Victoria that need it most up to the standard their students deserve.”

“Students can’t be expected to do well if their classrooms are falling apart. This funding will fix the schools most in need.”

“We are getting on with making Victoria the Education State, delivering more school funding in our first two Budgets than the previous four Budgets of the former Liberal government combined.”

Reviewed 19 August 2020

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