By Mitchell Clarke
Over 20 schools in the Cardinia Shire will receive much needed funding from the state government as part of a $515 million maintenance blitz.
The funding will support 21 schools across the Bass electorate and 17 schools across the Gembrook electorate.
Member for Bass electorate Jordan Crugnale said the money will ensure every student can attend a government primary, secondary or specialist school by tackling maintenance issues proactively.
“I’m absolutely thrilled with this announcement and what this means for all our local state schools is that they are well maintained, modern and safe,” Ms Crugnale said.
The investment will enable schools to do essential works such as painting, replacing carpet and windows, landscaping, tree inspections and maintenance of infrastructure like septic systems and water services.
Pakenham Springs Primary School and Pakenham Lakeside Primary School will receive $134,000 and $116,500 respectively while Kooweerup Secondary College and Pakenham Secondary College will get $200,000 and $188,000.
In the Gembrook electorate, Beaconsfield Upper Primary School will receive $313,000 and Officer Specialist School will get $106,000.
The state government will spend $170.5 million in emergency and incident response over five years, with an extra $57.8 million to address issues such as septic system failure, termite damage, mould and roof and floor damage.
Meanwhile, schools in some of the state’s highest-risk bushfire areas will have access to more funds to ensure they are ‘bushfire ready’, thanks to $44.2 million over five years for fire preparedness activities like vegetation removal.
