The Andrews Labor Government is getting on with delivering more new schools in South Barwon, with Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney MP today announcing three new schools will open for the start of the 2018 school year.
These much needed schools, including the new Torquay North Primary School and two new schools in Armstrong Creek, including a special school, are being delivered as part of the largest ever new school building project in Victoria.
This project will see 15 brand new schools designed, financed, built and maintained under the $291 million New Schools Public Private partnership Project.
The new Torquay North Primary School is being delivered nearby to the Surf Coast College and the Surf Coast Community and Civic Precinct which is currently under development, building an exciting social infrastructure hub for the expanding community.
The new schools in Armstrong Creek will complement the existing special needs education provision options in the Greater Geelong region, with families to have access to a special developmental school and special school in both the north and south of Geelong by 2018.
Additional community facilities and programs will also be incorporated into each design,
transforming every school into a community hub.
The Labor Government has also announced Learning Communities Victoria as the preferred bidder to deliver and maintain the new schools, bringing together significant expertise and PPP experience with Amber as sponsor, ClarkeHopkinsClarke as architect, Watpac as builder, Spotless as facilities manager and YMCA and CERES as community partners.
Local School Reference Groups will be established for each school in late 2016, while local families will be kept up-to-date on the creation of their new schools via community briefings planned prior to and during construction as well as before the school opening.
Quotes attributable to Member for Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney MP
“I’m absolutely thrilled to announce that we will see three brand new schools open in 2018 in Torquay and Armstrong Creek, including a much needed special school”
“Labor is delivering more new schools in South Barwon earlier, so parents in our
fastest growing communities have certainty and kids get the first class facilities they deserve.”
“In line with the recent launch of the Labor’s Special Needs Plan, these schools will provide flexible learning spaces that will satisfy the Andrews Government’s objectives for
inclusion and support, meeting the needs of all students.
“The former Liberal Government halved funding for new schools and upgrades, leaving our local school system over-crowded and under-resourced.”