Schools in Western Victoria are set to receive a boost in funding for essential maintenance and bushfire preparedness projects, thanks to the Andrews Labor Government.
Labor Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney today announced 4 schools were among 47 across the state to share in $4.275 million in Term 2 funding for projects under the Planned Maintenance Program (PMP).
The program ensures schools can undertake essential work to grounds and classrooms such as fixing roofs and windows, painting, resurfacing floors and replacing windows, as well as external landscaping works like pathways and lighting.
The schools in Western Victoria to receive the PMP funding include:
| Colac Primary School | $ 15,000 |
| Woodford Primary School | $ 25,000 |
| Cobden Primary School | $ 15,000 |
| Deans Marsh Primary School | $ 25,000 |
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 PMP funding.
Of this, more than $1.8 million will go towards maintenance of Shelter-in-Place buildings at 11 schools. These buildings serve as a temporary shelter for staff and students during a bushfire until emergency services arrive, or as a shelter of last resort.
The funding is on top of $5.84 million already provided to 57 schools through Term 1 PMP allocations and ensures existing buildings at Victoria’s 1,500 state schools are safe, modern and properly maintained.
Meanwhile, another 19 schools in Western Victoria are among 332 across the state to share in funding from the Victorian Government’s $9.15 million Bushfire Preparedness (Vegetation) Program for 2022-23.
The program was introduced in 2018 to assist schools in carrying out essential vegetation clearance works prior to the bushfire season and in line with municipal fire danger periods.
Schools to receive funds are among those identified as being at risk and listed on the Bushfire at Risk Register (BARR). These schools are required to undertake vegetation works on a regular basis to mitigate the risk of harm to the school’s community and buildings in the event of a bushfire.
Western Victorian schools to receive the Bushfire Preparedness (Vegetation) Program funding include:
| Beeac Primary School | $ 19,040.62 |
| Woodford Primary School | $ 21,694.30 |
| Bolwarra Primary School | $ 21,367.37 |
| Macarthur Primary School | $ 20,524.36 |
| Deans Marsh Primary School | $ 19,172.02 |
| Forrest Primary School | $ 18,025.23 |
| Carlisle River Primary School | $ 16,928.93 |
| Anglesea Primary School | $ 22,837.26 |
| Simpson Primary School | $ 23,064.42 |
| Derrinallum P-12 College | $ 26,541.94 |
| Mortlake P-12 College | $ 27,388.16 |
| Hawkesdale P12 College | $ 28,471.48 |
| Aireys Inlet Primary School | $ 19,951.43 |
| Heywood Consolidated School | $ 25,570.75 |
| Lavers Hill K-12 College | $ 25,430.87 |
| Timboon P-12 School | $ 30,565.78 |
| Dunkeld Annexe | $ 17,569.56 |
| Heywood District Secondary College | $ 28,888.42 |
| Lorne P-12 College | $ 25,300.54 |
In the past eight years, the Victorian Government has invested $12.8 billion in building new schools and more than 1,850 school upgrades, creating around 17,400 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.
For a list of schools receiving funding under the Planned Maintenance Program, visit: www.schoolbuildings.vic.gov.au/Pages/Planned-Maintenance-Funding
Quotes attributable to Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney
“I’m really pleased to see schools in Western Victoria share in funding that will see some get much-needed maintenance projects off the ground, and others be as prepared as they can be this bushfire season by getting on to works that will help mitigate the risk of fire.”
“These investments ensure students in Western Victoria can learn in well-maintained and safe settings that complement the top-class education we are committed to providing.”
Quotes attributable to Minister for Education, Natalie Hutchins:
“Investing in maintenance works means schools can tend to those essential projects that will ensure our students and teachers have access to safe and modern learning environments.”