The NSW Government is calling for local tradies to install smart LED lights in NSW public schools with the announcement of the third tranche of schools to benefit from the LED Lighting Upgrade Program, taking the total number of participating schools in the Cootamundra electorate to 36.
The $157.8 million initiative was launched last year in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and is targeted at replacing old inefficient lights in NSW public schools with smart LED lights.
Member for Cootamundra, Steph Cooke has welcomed news more public schools in the region are set to be involved in the program, benefitting the eyes and mind of students, as well as school power bills.
“I’ve had great feedback from schools involved in earlier rounds of this program, so I’m delighted more have been added to the list under the latest round and I would encourage local tradies to explore the opportunity to get involved,” Ms Cooke said.
Local schools receiving the new LED lighting in Tranches 2 and 3 include:
- Koorawatha Public School
- Woodstock Public School
- Wyangala Dam Public School
- Barmedman Public School
- Beckom Public School
- Bongongo Public School
- Bribbaree Public School
- Ganmain Public School
- Greenethorpe Public School
- Gundagai South Public School
- Junee North Public School
- Matong Public School
- Monteagle Public School
- Murringo Public School
- Narrandera Public School
- Tallimba Public School
- Weethalle Public School
- Gundagai Public School
- Jugiong Public School
- Nangus Public School
- Junee Public School
Minister for Education Sarah Mitchell said that the NSW Government is committed to improving the learning spaces for students as well as supporting communities during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The lighting upgrade is a great way for the schools to improve teaching spaces, reduce their power and maintenance bills but is also a fantastic way to stimulate local economic growth,” Ms Mitchell said.
This program utilises the Local Trade Schemes supporting more than 1,200 jobs by using local trades people to do installation work where possible. This will help to stimulate local economies and help communities recover from the impacts of COVID-19.
Local tradies will be able to tender for lighting upgrade opportunities via the Local Trades Scheme, an online platform where small businesses can engage directly with the Department of Education to bid for work at public schools in their local communities.
Already hundreds of tender opportunities have been published via the Local Trades Scheme with more to come in the following weeks.
The LED Lighting Upgrade Program will bring savings on electricity bills and also improve the sustainability of schools and take steps towards the NSW Government’s commitment to achieving net zero emissions by 2050.
The NSW Government is investing $7.9 billion over the next four years, continuing its program to deliver 215 new and upgraded schools to support communities across NSW. This is the largest investment in public education infrastructure in the history of NSW.
