Labor touts Armstrong Creek education spending

LABOR continues to focus on education across Geelong as the state election draws closer, emphasising Armstrong Creek will get two new schools within three years if it retains power.

Last week, Deputy Premier and Education Minister James Merlino said Armstrong Creek Secondary College and Armstrong Creek West Primary School were part of the $850 million investment to be delivered by a re-elected Labor Government.

Armstrong Creek West Primary School, now under construction in Unity Drive, is slated to open in January 2020.

Armstrong Creek Secondary College, to open in 2021, will be the new home of Oberon High School and will be built in the Armstrong Creek Education Precinct, next to the Armstrong Creek School in the east of the growth area.

The funding towards both schools has previously been announced. Mr Merlino made an election commitment of $34.5 million for Armstrong Creek Secondary College in October, while Armstrong Creek West Primary School received $20.2 million in the 2018/19 state budget and construction began in late July.

Labor says the two Armstrong Creek schools will complement the four other schools in the region that opened this year – Bannockburn P-12 College, Armstrong Creek School, Hamlyn Views School and Torquay Coast Primary School.

The party has pledged to open 45 schools within the next four years if it wins, and also implement a special planning fund for another 55 schools.

“The Liberals and Matthew Guy failed to plan for growth across our state, cutting funding to schools and leaving our kids to suffer the consequences,” Mr Merlino said.

“We’ll get on with fixing their mess to ensure every kid has access to a great local school.”

Labor candidate for South Barwon Darren Cheeseman said Labor was building new schools and upgrading many more to ensure students have access to great facilities in Armstrong Creek and across the Surf Coast.

“Planning for 55 new schools across the state will mean we are ready to accommodate more students.”