Schools boosted by extra learning space

Armstrong Creek School and Torquay Coast Primary are both in line to get new double-storey relocatable buildings to help meet growing student enrolments.

The modern new buildings come complete with double-glazed windows, improved thermal insulation to reduce heat loss and acoustic insulation to reduce internal noise reverberation.

The funding has been allocated by the state government as part of the $114 million allocated through the Relocatable Buildings Program in this year’s State Budget.

In total 17 Victorian schools will share in 25 of these energy-efficient buildings.

Member for South Barwon Darren Cheeseman said Armstrong Creek School and Torquay Coast Primary new relocatable buildings would offer flexibility for managing enrolment growth in time for the 2022 school year.

“We are delivering a modern, two-storey facilities for our local schools because we know that quality infrastructure gives our students and teachers the learning environments, they need to achieve their best,” Mr Cheeseman said.

In the past seven years, the Victorian Government has invested more than $10.9 billion into new schools and more than 1,700 school upgrades, creating around 13,500 jobs in construction and associated industries.

Locally, the new Oberon High School opened earlier this year and significant upgrades were been made to schools including Bellbrae Primary, Grovedale West Primary, Bellaire Primary and Nazareth Catholic Primary.

Minister for Education James Merlino said the relocatable buildings would provide modern and comfortable classrooms for students in South Barwon.

The Andrews Government is now ahead of schedule in its commitment to open 100 new schools by 2026, with 62 new schools opening between 2019 and 2024.