NSW BUDGET: BUDGET DELIVERS FOR STUDENTS IN REGIONAL NSW

The 2019-20 NSW Budget features significant investment in regional school infrastructure, with funding for 18 new and upgraded schools and hundreds of millions committed to clear the maintenance backlog in regional schools.
Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said the NSW Government is continuing its record $6.7 billion investment in school infrastructure, with a total of 190 new and upgraded schools being rolled out across the State, with 40 projects currently underway in regional areas.
“Investment in education is a core priority for this Government, and I am very proud that we are also providing more pathways and opportunities for families and students in regional NSW,” Mr Perrottet said. “The 2019-20 Budget also allocates $917.4 million in funding for 40 new and upgraded schools the Liberals & Nationals Government committed to as part of the recent elections.
“Eighteen of these new and upgraded schools are in regional NSW, including two new high schools, a new primary school and upgrades to multiple schools across the State.”
There are a number of projects planned or currently underway across regional NSW, including:

  • New primary schools in Murrumbateman and Googong prioritised for planning in 2019;
  • Major upgrades underway at schools in Queanbeyan and at Karabar High School;
  • New high schools committed at Bungendore and Jerrabomberra;
  • Major upgrades to schools in Murwillumbah, Kingscliff, Tweed Heads, Lennox Head, Byron Bay and Pottsville; and
  • Upgrades to Bexhill Public School, Bangalow Public School and Teven-Tintenbar Public School.

The Government has invested a further $449 million to clear the school maintenance backlog in all public schools by July 2020 bringing the total maintenance investment to more than $1.3 billion over five years.
Ms Mitchell said that it will be the first time in the State’s history that the school maintenance backlog will be wiped to zero and that more than $300 million will be invested in regional school maintenance for the coming twelve months.
“Children in regional NSW deserve a great public school education – to be educated close to home, in top-quality facilities from early childhood to year 12, and I am thrilled this Government is delivering that,” Ms Mitchell said.
The NSW Government is investing $6.7 billion over the next four years to deliver 190 new and upgraded schools to support communities across NSW. In addition to this, more than $1.3 billion is being spent on school maintenance over five years, along with a record $500 million for the sustainable Cooler Classrooms program to provide air conditioning to schools announced as part of the 2018-19 Budget last year.
This is the largest investment in public education infrastructure in the history of NSW.

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