Coalition Government delivers $500 million to build better schools

· $500 million to build new schools, construct further stages and
undertake upgrades and modernisation
· $191 million Public Private Partnership delivering transformational
investment
· Coalition Government investing a record $8.8 billion in our
children’s future for a better Victoria

The Victorian Coalition Government is funding 12 new schools and expansions at a further seven schools as part of a $500 million boost to education infrastructure in the 2014-15 Victorian State Budget, Minister for Education Martin Dixon said today.

“This investment in education infrastructure builds on previous Budgets with a total of 23 new schools funded by the Coalition Government,” Mr Dixon said.

“The $500 million school capital package will also deliver $12 million to expand and improve Victoria’s relocatable classroom program and $5.5 million for an expansion of Albert Park College.

“This record investment in new schools, further stages and relocatable classrooms, will deliver innovative design and modern facilities so that Victorian students can thrive in 21st century learning environments,” Mr Dixon said.

Of the new schools, 11 will be delivered in partnership with the private sector to maximise value, promote innovation and deliver improved facilities. Schools proposed to form part of the estimated $191 million Public Private Partnership (PPP) include:

· Bannockburn Primary School;
· Casey Central East Primary School;
· Cranbourne South West Primary School;
· Epping North Primary School;
· Geelong North Special Development School;
· Heather Grove Primary School;
· Mernda South Primary School;
· Mill Park Lakes East Primary School;
· Pakenham South West Primary School;
· Point Cook South P-9 School; and
· Torquay North Primary School.

Expressions of Interest from the private sector will open later this year, with a view to new schools opening their doors to students across 2017 and 2018. These schools will be covered by a long-term facilities management contract, ensuring the quality of infrastructure will be maintained.

These 11 new schools are in addition to the $20 million commitment by the Victorian Coalition Government to build a secondary school in Prahran, announced by Premier Denis Napthine last month.

An additional $5 million has also been provided for the planning and site preparation of the Ferrars Street site for a new South Melbourne Primary School.

Mr Dixon also announced $48.8 million for seven further stages of school construction in growth areas:

· $3.5 million for Coburg Senior High School;
· $12 million for Doreen Secondary College (Stage 2);
· $4.3 million for Eastwood Primary School (Stage 2);
· $5 million for Mount Ridley P-12 School (Stage 5);
· $13 million for Officer Secondary College (Stage 2);
· $4 million for Sale Specialist School (Planning and Stage 1); and
· $7 million for Truganina P-9 School (Stage 2).

More than $200 million of the total $500 million school capital budget will be used to continue tackling the school maintenance backlog left by the former Labor Government.

The backlog, which was identified as part of a recent independent condition assessment of every government school, will be further addressed through upgrades and modernisation works at more than 70 schools, including:

· $7.8 million for Coatesville Primary School;
· $8 million for Brighton Secondary College;
· $10 million for Horsham College;
· $5.2 million for Timboon P-12 ;
· $8.5 million for Geelong High School;
· $7.8 million for Ballarat High School; and
· $8.5 million for Frankston High School.

“We have invested a total of $1.1 billion in school capital since 2010, including more than $460 million in new schools, further stages, relocatable classrooms and land acquisition,” Mr Dixon said.

The Coalition Government is committed to building a better education system for all Victorian students with a record $8.8 billion funding for schools in education in 2013-14.