Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke has announced that a schools maintenance blitz is under way during the school holidays.
The Liberals & Nationals are investing more than $35 million into maintenance works at 230 schools during the October school holidays, with seven schools in the Cootamundra electorate set to benefit.
Ms Cooke said that the blitz means the NSW Government is another step closer to delivering the election promise of clearing the school maintenance backlog.
“We are committed to ensuring we provide the best facilities for students and staff in the Cootamundra electorate, and that includes attending to repairs and maintenance work to ensure existing schools remain in top condition,” Ms Cooke said.
“The government will have completed approximately one third of the maintenance backlog following these holidays.
“The NSW Government has committed $449 million to clear the existing school maintenance backlog in all public schools by June 30, 2020.”
Minister for Education Sarah Mitchell said the blitz is part of the NSW Government’s commitment to ensuring every child in NSW has access to state-of-the-art facilities.
“We are investing a record amount into the education system in NSW, because we know how important it is for every child, no matter where they live – has access to a quality education,” Ms Mitchell said.
“The Cootamundra electorate’s future doctors, farmers and teachers are being shaped in our public schools as we speak, so it’s crucial that as a Government we continue to support them as much as possible.”
The NSW Government is investing $6.7 billion over the next four years to deliver more than 190 new and upgraded schools to support communities across NSW. A record $1.3 billion is being spent on school maintenance over five years. This investment is the largest in public education infrastructure in the history of NSW.
Schools receiving maintenance work these holidays:
- Ardlethan Central School Roof Replacement
- Barellan Central School Roof Replacement
- Eurongilly Public School Painting and carpet replacement
- Ganmain Public School Painting, carpet
- Junee North Public School Painting, vinyl, louvers, wall repairs
- Matong Public School Painting
- Narrandera Public School Roof Replacement