By Laura Michell
Three new schools will be built in Hume and Whittlesea and five others upgraded or expanded within the next three years as part of a $2.8 billion investment in schools in today’s state budget.
Education Minister James Merlino said the budget included a “record” investment in schools, with $352 million to be spent on the construction of schools in growth areas.
The budget provides funding for Greenvale North West, Merrifield West and Edgars Creek primary schools, which are slated to open in 2021 as part of a 2018 state election pledge by Labor.
Construction will start on the second stage of Edgars Creek Secondary College, with the budget including $2.3 million for the Epping North school. Stage two is expected to cost $22.8 million and be completed in late 2022.
Gladstone Views Primary School will receive $219,000 to begin upgrading facilities, while $177,000 will be spent on planning for an upgrade to Gladstone Park Primary School.
The government will spend $966,000 at the Jacana School for Autism and $6 million at Lalor East Primary School as part of its asbestos safety program for schools.
Boost for health and sports projects
Also included is $8.1 million for the Broadmeadows Family Drug Treatment Court to help parents struggling with addiction get their lives back on track and get families back together, and $3 million for targeted programs to support communities affected by gambling including Whittlesea and Hume.
The budget also includes $5 million for seven high performance basketball hubs, one of which will be built in the north-western suburbs.
There is also $2 million to begin establishing 10 community hospitals, including at Whittlesea and Craigieburn; $2.97 million to commence planning for five dedicated children’s emergency departments including at The Northern Hospital; $850,000 to refurbish Broadmeadows fire station; a new parenting centre in Whittlesea; and funding to continue the revitalisation of Broadmeadows Town Centre.
Previously announced projects, including stage two of The Northern Hospital expansion, a new Craigieburn fire station and stage two of the Plenty Road upgrade, also received funding.
