Coast schools get $3.3M boost to facilities

Gosford High School

Twenty public schools on the Central Coast are set to receive new and improved facilities, with projects announced in tranche two of the NSW Government’s $120M Regional Renewal Program.

Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast and Member for Terrigal, Adam Crouch, said more than $3.3M would go towards playground upgrades, new toilet blocks and improved classrooms in the region.

“The NSW Government invited schools to apply for this funding to improve facilities in October last year, and I am thrilled that so many public schools stretching from one end of the Central Coast to the other made the most of this fantastic opportunity,” Crouch said.

“Delivery of each project will occur within the next 18 months and wherever possible, schools will use local construction companies, suppliers and workers as a targeted way of bouncing back from COVID-19.”

President of the Central Coast Council of P&C’s, Sharryn Brownlee, said the funding was welcome news for schools and their communities after a tough year in 2020.

“It’s exciting to see this further investment in schools across the Central Coast,” Brownlee said.

“This funding will help to ensure students have the best possible facilities to create the best possible learning environment.”

The Regional Renewal Program will provide a co-contribution from the NSW Government of between 50 to 80 per cent for school infrastructure improvements to high priority schools across regional NSW.

Minister for Education, Sarah Mitchell, said the program forms part of the NSW Government’s COVID-19 Recovery Plan.

“This program is part of the NSW Government’s economic stimulus response to the pandemic, and will deliver educational benefits, community benefits and economic benefits as communities continue to recover,” Mitchell said.

The NSW Government is investing $7B 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.

Schools to benefit under the current round include: Berkeley Vale PS (playground upgrade); Erina Heights PS (admin and staff upgrade); Ettalong PS (COLA and shade structures); Glenvale School (COLA and shade structures); Gosford High School (playground upgrade); Gosford PS (carpark and access roads); HopeTown School (toilet upgrade); Kanwal PS (walkways and playground upgrade); Kariong PS (toilet upgrade); Killarney Vale PS (COLA and shade structures); Kincumber HS (toilet upgrade); Lisarow HS (food technology upgrade); Narara Valley HS (COLA and shade structures and learning unit upgrade); North Gosford Learning Centre (COLA and shade structures and bus bay upgrade); Point Clare PS (stormwater and drainage); Terrigal HS (food technology upgrade); Wadalba Community School (toilet upgrade) Woodport PS (structural and fabric upgrade); Woongarrah PS (playground upgrade); Wyoming Public School (walkways); and Wyoming Public School (windows, doors and skylights).

Source:
Media release, Mar 16
Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast, Adam Crouch