Tuesday, 25 August 2026

 Gaelle BROAD (Northern Victoria) (22:31): (2730) My adjournment is to the Minister for Children. It was great to visit Maiden Gully Primary School recently. Over 550 kids are currently enrolled at the school. Maiden Gully and Marong nearby are in a growth corridor on the edge of Bendigo, and with increasing population growth, enrolments are projected to climb. It was timely to look around the school during recess while students were outdoors playing; they filled the school grounds, and it was evident that every part of the land was being used. I was shocked to see the library off limits and undergoing repairs due to water damage to the building. A teacher’s foot had gone through the floor, and now the site is sealed off due to black mould. Parents have raised concerns that the fast-track company engaged to do the repairs has in fact been the opposite, and I could see hundreds of books piled up, soon to be thrown out due to damage. The school grounds are still filled with portables.

A new building with classrooms, described as stage 1 at the time, was officially opened in November 2023. At the time the Bendigo Times newspaper reported that:

The project was part of a bigger goal to add six more classrooms to the back end of the new block.

The member for Bendigo West Maree Edwards said:

… now that the first part is complete, planning can start on the stage two.

That was nearly three years ago, and I would appreciate an update from the minister on the progress of the additional classrooms that were to be added.

The school has an endorsed master plan that the school council has advocated for for over 10 years. Parents have raised concerns that instead of progressing these plans to upgrade poor facilities in need of modernisation, the government is ignoring their concerns and ploughing ahead with plans to add a kindergarten on the school grounds, despite the existing land constraints and increasing enrolments. With space available at nearby kindergartens, parents have asked the department to explore alternative sites within the area that may better support the delivery of a kindergarten. Maiden Gully Primary School has five kinder programs already in its vicinity: Jenny’s Early Learning Centre, Maiden Gully; Village early learning centre; Shine Bright, Maiden Gully; Shine Bright, Marong; and the Marrungi Wayaparra kinder in Marong. There are also over five kinders at Kangaroo Flat nearby and another four or more in Eaglehawk.

As the school library is in urgent need of repair, current portables are waiting to be replaced and space on the school grounds is already constrained, I ask that you listen to the concerns raised by the school council and work together to prioritise existing plans to upgrade the school facilities for the benefit of current and future students, families, staff and the wider community. There is currently a great deal of development activity around the school – including the supermarket precinct, plans for a new intersection and roadworks – and the Maiden Gully Progress Association are working closely with the community on plans for the future, but I would appreciate your support to address these concerns.