TEN south-west schools will share in $1.42 million for small-scale works to fast-track projects and the region's economic recovery, the state government says.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Warrnambool Primary School buildings and interiors will receive a fresh coat of paint that principal Peter Auchettl says will add to the main building's newly restored bell tower and roof.
"The whole place will look quite schmick," Mr Auchettl said.
Painters will also work on the infant building and year one-two precinct, as well as corridor interiors and infant rooms.
Warrnambool's WAVE school also received $366,000 for works after it moved to a Hyland Street education department site next door to the former Specialist Development School in January.
Warrnambool College principal David Clift, who has responsibility for the campus, said the site needed repairs and the money was welcome news.
"It will support repairs and upgrades for the main learning building on the Hyland Street site," he said.
The re-engagement campus will next year enrol between 45 and 55 VCAL students at-risk of leaving school.
Mr Clift said he hoped the repairs were the beginning of future investment for the school to expand into more classrooms at the site,
He hopes eventually the campus will make use of the former specialist developmental school buildings too.
"It is hopefully the start of additional funds to support a fit-for-purpose learning facility for our most vulnerable students in Warnrmabool," he said.
The WAVE program can only teach students 15 years and older, but the campus is seeking a state government accreditation to change that.
"We consider there are learning needs for students disengaging with mainstream education under the age of 15," Mr Clift said.
Meanwhile, Portland South School also received $500,000 for minor works.
Primary schools in Portland, Allansford, Woodford, Bolwarra, Macarthur, and the Hawkesdale P-12 College and Portland Bay School received sums ranging from $84,000 to $29,000.
It follows the state budget including $10.7 million for the Hampton Specialist School and $5.4 million for Warrnambool's Merrivale Primary School.
Western Victoria MP Gayle Tierney said the smaller-scale projects, part of a $70 million minor capital works fund statewide, would commence from early 2021.
"We are making sure that students in the south-west have access to the best school facilities and a great education," she said.
"This investment is vital to south-west economic recovery and creating jobs."
Have you signed up to The Standard's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in the south-west.
Jackson Graham
Jackson is a reporter for The Standard.
Jackson is a reporter for The Standard.
