Tuesday, 22 September 2026

 Gaelle BROAD (Northern Victoria) (23:37): (2820) My question is to the Minister for Education. I visited Strathfieldsaye Primary School last week together with Andrew Lethlean, the Nationals candidate for Bendigo East, after concerns were raised about the ongoing impact of flood damage on the school facilities. The school is located in a rapidly growing area just 10 kilometres from Bendigo. Student numbers have grown to over 540 students, but the facilities are not keeping pace. It was shocking to learn that 17 classrooms have been impacted by flooding through water-damaged ceilings over the last four years. One teacher noted that their classrooms have been impacted for up to 20 weeks, with prep students disrupted over a period of eight weeks and relocated to other classrooms. The damage to buildings has continued, with regular requests submitted. The department’s preference has been silicon repairs, which do little to address the underlying issues. I was concerned to learn that mould and water stains on the roof are commonplace. Parents have expressed concern about the health implications as children in affected classrooms experience asthma with no history of symptoms.

The Building Education Revolution resulted in capital works at the school with ceilings so high you need a cherry picker to change a lightbulb or to remove sections of water-stained tiles on the ceilings. The same toilet block built in the 1980s, when there were over 100 students, is still in use today despite the increase in enrolments.

In 2024 there was a parliamentary inquiry into the state education system in Victoria, with members from different political backgrounds. I bring the minister’s attention to recommendation 39:

That the Department of Education ensure that schools are adequately resourced to respond to the needs of students, including their wellbeing –

which the government supported in full. Recommendation 47 of the report called on the Victorian government to:

… significantly increase its investment in school capital infrastructure funding in government schools –

a recommendation that the government supported in principle.

The Victorian Auditor-General’s report Delivering School Upgrade Projects was released in June this year, and I was concerned to read the findings:

1. VSBA does not always make recommendations for school upgrade projects in line with its strategies for improving school conditions.

2. VSBA’s costings and timelines for school upgrade projects are not always transparent.

3. VSBA could do more to make sure upgrades meet school needs.

The audit found that 29 per cent of school upgrades experience cost blowouts, 25 per cent of projects were delayed, the number of schools in poor condition increased from 182 to 221 in just two years, the government’s target of having no schools in poor condition has been pushed back from 2030 to 2034 and schools are not always selected for upgrades in line with existing prioritisation guidelines. Our kids deserve the very best education and quality facilities. I ask that the minister make it a priority to consult with the Strathfieldsaye Primary School to ensure that these ongoing issues of flooding are addressed. It is a great school community, and it is important that its facilities keep pace with the growing population.