The Victorian Government will deliver vital maintenance and bushfire readiness works at over 400 schools across Victoria, supporting jobs and local businesses through the coronavirus pandemic and improving facilities for students and staff, with $15.3 million in funding announced today.

Member for Buninyong, Michaela Settle, today announced 13 schools in the Buninyong electorate will share in more than $450,000 in the Planned Maintenance Program and $188,000 in the Bushfire Preparedness Program.

Five schools will share in $450,000 of Planned Maintenance Program funding for essential work to grounds and classrooms such as fixing roofs and windows, painting, resurfacing floors and replacing windows, as well as repairing landscaping like pathways and steps.

• Mount Clear Primary School will receive $310,000 to address high priority maintenance, including ceiling repair, downpipe repair, surfacing work, floor repair, lighting repair, painting works, shade structure repair, stair repair, structural repair, table repair, wall repair and the school’s Shelter In Place building.
• Phoenix P-12 Community College will receive $100,000 for high-priority maintenance identified for the school’s roof and structural issues.
• Sebastopol Primary School will receive $20,000 for high-priority maintenance works identified for the school’s roof issues.
• Canadian Lead Primary School will receive $15,000 to address high priority maintenance works, including ceiling repair, floor repair, painting works and wall repair.
• Mount Pleasant Primary School will receive $5,000 for high-priority maintenance works identified for the school’s roof issues.

Nine schools will share in over $188,000 of Bushfire Preparedness funding to clear vegetation and undertake other essential maintenance ahead of the upcoming bushfire season.

• Balliang East Primary School will receive $17,269
• Buninyong Primary School will receive
• Scotsburn Primary School will receive $15,984
• Glen Park Primary School will receive $14,929
• Lal Lal Primary School will receive $16,953
• Linton Primary School will receive $16,890
• Mount Clear College will receive $47,867
• Mount Clear Primary School will receive     $26,275
• Mount Egerton Primary School will receive $14,945
• Woady Yaloak Primary School, Scarsdale Campus will receive $17,426

Works with contractors will be carried out under COVID-19 advice guidelines to ensure the health and safety of staff and students.

If works can’t start immediately due to Stage 3 restrictions, offsite planning of these works and any that are essential for school safety will continue.

The Government is investing an unprecedented $7.2 billion in Victorian school infrastructure, which is delivering more than 1,460 school upgrades and 100 new schools by 2026 – ensuring every child can access a great local school where they can achieve their best.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Education James Merlino

“These projects will create jobs, boost local businesses and create safer schools for kids across the state.”

“Our record investment in school infrastructure is delivering high quality classrooms for our hard-working principals, teachers and students.”

 Quote attributable to Member for Buninyong, Michaela Settle

“To see a big investment in our schools most in need of works is a fantastic result. We are ensuring that our schools are well maintained and safe so that every student can learn in the best possible environment.”