Tuesday, 15 October 2019

In reply to  Mr GRIMLEY (Western Victoria) (12 September 2019)

Mr MERLINO (Monbulk—Minister for Education):

The Andrews Labor Government has allocated more than $6.1 billion over the last five State Budgets to build, upgrade and maintain school infrastructure across Victoria. Our ongoing challenge is to responsibly balance and prioritise the needs of over 1,500 government schools in Victoria, all in varying condition.

The Government has masterplans to locate Warracknabeal Primary, Secondary and Special Developmental Schools on the one site, with a central consolidated administration area, gymnasium and function room. The completion of Stage 1, at the end of last year, was a major accomplishment in the proposed restructure of educational facilities and programming at Warracknabeal.

As you are aware, in the 2016–17 State Budget, $4 million was allocated to the Secondary College and $2 million to the Special Developmental School. In addition, $50,000 was also allocated to the Special Developmental School in Round 1 of the Inclusive Schools Fund.

Further, in September 2019, the Government announced that every government school, including Warracknabeal Primary, Secondary, and Special Developmental Schools, would receive a share of the $515 million in the single largest boost to school maintenance ever taken I am pleased to confirm that, as part of this Maintenance Blitz, Warracknabeal Primary School will be receiving $90,716, Warracknabeal Special Developmental School will be receiving $63,368, and Warracknabeal Secondary College will be receiving $220,817 to undertake essential maintenance works.

I can assure you that the needs of all schools, including those in the Warracknabeal Education Precinct, will continue to be considered when determining future priorities for the capital works program. We are committed to delivering stages 2 and 3 of the precinct, and we will continue to consider the requirements for the second stage through the State Budget process. This project will continue to receive fair and equitable consideration when determining future priorities for the school capital works program.

Regarding your concerns about leaking roofs and exposed power cables, ensuring school premises are safe, secure and well-maintained is a shared responsibility between schools and the Department of Education and Training. If a school has urgent maintenance or repair issues that are beyond its budget capacity and directly impact on student or staff safety, an application for funding can be made under the Emergency Maintenance Program and with the assistance of the Department’s Regional Office.