Ms VAGHELA (Western Metropolitan) (17:42): My adjournment matter is directed to the Honourable James Merlino, Deputy Premier, Minister for Education and Minister for Mental Health. As our state emerges from the global pandemic, we are making sure that all Victorians have the support they need in every aspect of their life. With the beginning of the new education year, the Victorian government is making additional investments in education and training to support our students, boost the economy, create jobs and ensure Victorians have the skills they need to secure a stable job. Victorian students will be supported to achieve their best, regardless of their circumstances and background, as the Victorian government invests an additional $3 billion in new schools and school infrastructure through the Victorian budget 2020–21.
Families in Victoria’s fastest growing areas are a step closer to getting the state-of-the-art schools they deserve, and the state budget invests a record $3 billion to roll out the next phase of Victoria’s school building and modernisation boom. Right across the state we are building new schools so every child has the chance to get a great education no matter where they live: 14 new schools opened this year, with all the builders appointed for the 14 new schools to open in 2022. I am excited to see these schools take shape.
In the Western Metropolitan Region several new schools have opened their doors recently. These include Davis Creek Primary School in Tarneit, Homestead Senior Secondary College in Point Cook and Riverwalk Primary School in Werribee. The Andrews Labor government is making sure that every child has a great start in life through a great local school. The action I seek from the minister is to provide me with an update about how many new schools will be built and how many existing schools will be getting upgraded under the $3 billion school building boom in the Victorian budget 2020–21 in my constituency of Western Metropolitan Region.
Reply: to Ms VAGHELA (Western Metropolitan)
Mr MERLINO (Monbulk—Minister for Education, Minister for Mental Health (16 February 2021):
The Andrews Labor Government has invested more than $9 billion over the past six years to build new schools and modernise existing educational facilities across the state. We are committed to continue with this record funding and to open 100 new schools over eight years by 2026. This will meet the increasing demand for student places stemming from Victoria’s growing population.
As you are aware, I was pleased to announce that, as part of the 2020–21 State Budget, $147 million was allocated to acquire land for 11 future schools, including five future schools in the Western Metropolitan Region: Holyoake Parade Primary School (Interim Name), Lollypop Creek Primary School (Interim Name), Riverdale East Primary School (Interim Name), Tarneit Missen House Primary School (Interim Name), and Truganina North Secondary College (Interim Name).
The 2020–21 State Budget also included $1.28 billion for 162 school upgrade projects. More than $388.8 million of this investment was allocated to improve facilities at 39 specialist schools, including seven specialist schools in the Western Metropolitan Region: Ascot Vale Special School, Furlong Park School For Deaf Children, Jackson School, Rosamond Special School, Sunshine Special Developmental School, Warringa Park School, and Yarraville Special Developmental School.
Additionally, as part of the 2020–21 State Budget, funding was allocated to upgrade 15 schools in the Western Metropolitan Region: Altona College was allocated $3.56 million; Bayside P-12 College was allocated $6.71 million; Diggers Rest Primary School was allocated $3.2 million; Flemington Primary School was allocated $1.15 million (following the $127,000 previously allocated to the school through the Infrastructure Planning and Acceleration Fund); Footscray High School’s Kinnear Street Campus was allocated $25.29 million; Hoppers Crossing Secondary College was allocated $10.06 million; Keilor Heights Primary School was allocated $840,000; Monmia Primary School was allocated $6.93 million; Mount Alexander 7-12 College was allocated $24.77 million (in addition to the $1.527 million allocated to the school through the Infrastructure Planning and Acceleration Fund); Rosehill Secondary College was allocated $10.2 million; Sunbury West Primary School was allocated $10.5 million; Sunshine Primary School was allocated $11.16 million; Taylors Lakes Primary School was allocated $7.53 million; Taylors Lakes Secondary College was allocated $1.82 million; and Woodville Primary School was allocated $10.66 million.
The 2020–21 State Budget also allocated $85.6 million to provide additional capacity at seven schools to meet enrolment growth for the 2023 school year, including two schools in the Western Metropolitan Region: Ascot Vale West Primary School, which will receive at least $10.355 million to provide facilities for an additional 200 enrolments for the 2023 school year (in addition to the $1.278 million allocated to the school through the Infrastructure Planning and Acceleration Fund); and Footscray Primary School, which will receive at least $18.217 million to also provide facilities for an additional 200 enrolments for the 2023 school year (in addition to the $2.249 million allocated to the school through the Infrastructure Planning and Acceleration Fund).
As you are aware, we have also allocated funding to schools in the Western Metropolitan Region in previous State Budgets and under multiple programs. Schools that have received funding include: Altona College, Bayside P-12 College, Diggers Rest Primary School, Exford Primary School, Mount Alexander 7-12 College, Flemington Primary School, Footscray High School, Keilor Heights Primary School, Monmia Primary School, Rosehill Secondary College, Taylors Lakes Secondary College, Furlong Park School For Deaf Children, Jackson School, Melton Specialist School, Rosamond Special School, Sunshine Special Developmental School, Warringa Park School and Yarraville Special Developmental School.
I can also confirm that Garrang Wilam Primary School, Riverbend Primary School, Aintree Primary School, and the Pilgrim Campus of Footscray High School opened for the first day of Term 1, 2021. These new facilities will provide students with the opportunity for a great education.
I can assure you that the Victorian School Building Authority will work closely with these schools to deliver an infrastructure outcome that will benefit these school communities. Thanks to this investment, every community in the Western Metropolitan Region will have access to a great local school.
I trust this information is of assistance.