My adjournment matter is directed to the Minister for Education and Minister for the Coordination of Education and Training: COVID-19, the Honourable James Merlino, MP. The Andrews Labor government has made a lot of investment in funding works for schools. The funding will help schools carry out works such as painting, resurfacing floors, replacing windows and fixing roofs as well as resurfacing outdoor paths and stairs.
Schools in my area of Western Metropolitan Region have also received funding. Avondale Primary School will receive at least $9.02 million to deliver an upgrade. Dohertys Creek P–9 College, stage 2, will receive funding of $11.23 million to deliver the essential construction of specialist learning spaces to accommodate students in years 7–9. Footscray North Primary School will receive $16.13 million to deliver an upgrade and modernisation of the school, including adding new facilities for an additional 200 enrolments. To Gladstone Park Primary School the Victorian government is providing $2.27 million for an upgrade. Grasslands Primary School will receive a share of funding for new schools construction to deliver a new school opening in 2022 for 525 students. Saltwater P–9 College, stage 2, will receive funding of $13.06 million to deliver the essential construction of specialist learning spaces to accommodate students in years 7–9. Strathmore North Primary School will receive at least $6.62 million to deliver an upgrade and modernisation of the school, including adding new facilities for an additional 100 enrolments. To Williamstown High School the Victorian government is providing $1.23 million to upgrade their year 12 study centre and complete the school’s theatre complex. These works will ensure every child can access a great local school where they can pursue their best.
The action I seek from the minister is to visit Dohertys Creek P–9 College in my area of Western Metropolitan Region with my lower house colleague the member for Tarneit, Sarah Connolly, MP, to find out how the works are progressing and how the students in my area of Western Metropolitan Region will benefit from these works.
RESPONSE:
Mr MERLINO (Monbulk—Minister for Education, Minister for the Coordination of Education and Training: COVID-19):
I am informed as follows:
The Andrews Labor Government is committed to growing educational opportunities for all Victorians. We have invested more than $7.2 billion over the past five years to build new schools and modernise existing educational facilities across Melbourne. We will continue with this record funding and open 100 new schools over eight years (2019–2026) to meet the increasing demand for student places stemming from Victoria’s growing population.
As you are aware, we recently announced more than $1.18 billion in education infrastructure projects, as part of the $2.7 billion Building Works Package, to create space for more than 21,000 extra students in Victoria’s education system and create more than 1,600 local construction jobs in communities across Victoria.
I am pleased to confirm that as part of the $438.6 million to build new schools and deliver a further four stages of new school projects to open in 2022, $11.23 million has been allocated towards Dohertys Creek P–9 College to deliver the next stage of its new school. I am advised that the project will include earthworks and landscaping, two new multi-courts, the construction of two new learning community buildings, the extension of the college’s existing car park, along with the refurbishment of an existing building to convert general learning spaces (built to accommodate enrolments for Stage 1) to materials technology rooms. It is expected that the sod turn for this project will take place in September 2020, with construction due to commence soon after. According to this timeline, the project should be finalised and ready for students in time for the first day of Term 1, 2022.
Similarly, $13.06 million has been allocated to Saltwater P–9 College to deliver the next stage of its new school. I can also confirm that a share of the $438.6 million in funding for new schools will be used to construct Grasslands Primary School, a new school in the Melton area.
In addition, $130.1 million has been allocated to create additional capacity at nine schools to meet enrolment growth for the 2022 school year. Avondale Primary School will receive $9.02 million in capital works funding to increase its capacity by 100 spaces. Likewise, Strathmore North Primary School has been allocated $6.62 million to upgrade and modernise its facilities. This funding will deliver a combination of permanent and relocatable facilities to meet demand for 675 enrolments. I can also confirm that Footscray North Primary School has been allocated $16.13 million in capital works funding to increase capacity by 200 spaces.
As you are aware, Gladstone Park Primary School has been allocated $2.27 million in capital works funding in addition to the $252,400 received in the 2019–20 State Budget. We are also providing Williamstown High school $1.23 million in capital works funding, in addition to the $137,000 allocated in the 2019–20 State Budget, to upgrade its Year 12 study centre and complete its theatre complex.
Needless to say, the Building Works Package will build the projects that matter to Victoria and create the jobs that matter to Victorians. Regarding Dohertys Creek P–9 College, I would be pleased to visit the college to see the impact of this funding first hand, when my schedule permits.