Students at 14 schools across the Cootamundra electorate will soon benefit from brighter and smarter learning spaces with the NSW Government announcing the first tranche of schools in the LED Lighting Upgrade Program.
Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke celebrated the news and said the program is evidence of the NSW Government’s commitment to improving school facilities and supporting jobs.
“It’s wonderful to be in Grenfell to make this announcement and hear firsthand just how much of a difference this is going to make to the teachers and students. They have had poor lighting here for some time,” Ms Cooke said.
“This is a great investment in to our students and teachers, improving their learning and work environment, and in to local jobs.”
“We know student learning is enhanced when the learning environment is comfortable and LED lighting is proven to provide a more stable source of light.”
“I am so pleased so many of our local schools will be among the first to see these upgrades.”
Grenfell Public School Principal Michelle Morley said the school community was delighted.
“This new lighting will be brighter in the classrooms, I know some people struggle with the flickering fluorescent lighting so this will be a great addition to classrooms to have a consistent brighter light,” Ms Morley said.
“It will make the place a lot cheerier!”
“This is extremely exciting that we are one of the first schools to be getting this done.”
“The children were very excited to have Steph here and to know they will have nice new lighting.”
Local schools receiving new LED lighting in Tranche 1 include:
- Cootamundra Public School
- Gooloogong Public School
- Grenfell Public School
- Junee High School
- Murrumburrah Public School
- Narrandera High School
- Temora High School
- Temora Public School
- Temora West Public School
- The Henry Lawson High School
- Wallendbeen Public School
- West Wyalong High School
- West Wyalong Public School
- Wyalong Public School
Minister for Education Sarah Mitchell said the program is an initiative funded by the NSW Government’s COVID-19 Recovery Plan.
“The LED Lighting Upgrade Program will not only support jobs, but through the replacement of inefficient lighting with LED luminaires we will be delivering better classrooms and learning areas for students,” said Ms Mitchell.
“This program is part of our $450 million school based COVID-19 Recovery plan to deliver thousands of school projects to hundreds of schools.”
More than 290 schools have been announced in the first tranche with up to 1,000 schools to benefit from the $158 million program. The program will also reduce school energy bills with smart LED lighting offering a more efficient and sustainable option.
The NSW Government is investing $7 billion over the next four years, continuing its program to deliver more than 200 new and upgraded schools to support communities across NSW. This is the largest investment in public education infrastructure in the history of NSW.
