Attention all students, new schools will be coming to your local area in Victoria under a new building project valued at $291 million. Image: Nick Amoscato
The Victorian government has announced that it will initiate an ambitious building project to construct 15 new schools in some of the fastest growing areas across the state.
These areas including Mernda, Epping North, Pakenham South West, Heather Grove, Cranbourne, Casey Central, Point Cook, North Geelong, Bannockburn, Armstrong Creek and Torquay North will receive the new schools under a plan valued at $291 million through a Public Private Partnership.
According to the government, the new schools will be financed, designed, built and maintained by Learning Communities Victoria for 25 years.
It is one of the biggest boosts to the education under the Daniel Andrews government, that follows the 2015-16 State Budget, which the government calls the biggest education budget on record.
This Budget is set to deliver $4 billion over four years, including a record $730 million investment that will ensure every community has a local school.
In this particular building project, communities will be provided with gyms, swimming pools, meeting spaces, adult learning spaces, and childcare facilities alongside world-class school facilities.
That’s not all. The project has kept students with disabilities in mind by providing facilities that accommodate their needs, which is part of the Andrews government’s Special Needs Plan which supports the Education State commitment to help students shape their lives.
On the architectural front, the 15 new schools will also feature the latest in environmentally sustainable design. The Centre for Education and Research in Environmental Strategies will run community and environmental programs at each school.
And with new schools on the way, it will be a potential opportunity for the government to feature the latest technological advancements in education, including digital educational tools, ICT implementation and onsite security.
Tech vendors interested in education, watch this space.
