Kids across Bendigo and Central Victoria will get the world-class schools they deserve, as the Andrews Labor Government gets on with the job of fixing, upgrading and modernising Victoria’s schools.
The Labor Government has today announced that the Victorian Budget 2018/19 will invest $180.8 million to build and upgrade 60 regional schools. Across Bendigo and Central Victoria, $14.98 million will go towards building, upgrading and planning schools including:
- $11.75 million for Castlemaine Secondary College to continue ongoing staged works, including the completion of the performing arts precinct
- $2.17 million for Spring Gully Primary School to continue upgrading junior and middle years' learning areas, staff and administration spaces
- $161,000 for Dunolly Primary School to upgrade and modernise facilities
- $400,000 for Kerang Primary School to upgrade and modernise facilities
Additionally, the Budget includes $500,000 to undergo master planning at White Hills Primary School. This funding will focus on providing much-needed additional capacity.
This massive boost to regional school funding will upgrade classrooms and school facilities across Victoria, helping teachers and giving more students the support they need to get the 21st century education they deserve.
The Victorian School Building Authority will now start working with schools to determine the scope of their upgrades and how they can best be delivered.
The Labor Government is building the Education State so every Victorian student can get a great education and every community has access to a great local school.
Since 2014, the Labor Government has invested $775 million in regional school infrastructure. This contrasts with the Liberals and Nationals who let our regional schools crumble and decay, while slashing $1 billion from the education budget and axing the Educational Maintenance Allowance and School Start Bonus.
Quote attributable to Minister for Education James Merlino
“No matter where you live in Victoria, students deserve to have a great school – we’re getting on with rebuilding schools across our state to give hard working families the facilities they deserve.”
Quotes attributable to Member for Bendigo West Maree Edwards
“Castlemaine Secondary is a great school and this funding will make it even better by giving students and teachers the world class facilities they need to thrive.”
“Unlike the Liberals who cut funding to schools, only the Labor Government will stand up for hard working families across Bendigo and Castlemaine.”
Quotes attributable to Member for Bendigo East Jacinta Allan
“We’re upgrading schools right across Bendigo and Central Victoria to make sure they have the best classrooms and the best facilities.”
“It’s only a Labor Government that is giving students at Spring Gully and White Hills the facilities they need.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020