The Andrews Labor Government is delivering better schools in Bendigo West, with a maintenance blitz to improve facilities for primary and secondary students.

Member for Bendigo West Maree Edwards MP has announced three schools have received funding under the Term 1 Planned Maintenance Program:

• Harcourt Valley Primary School - $365,000 for high priority maintenance works on the school's Shelter in Place building
• Castlemaine Primary School - $15,000 for high priority maintenance task
• Specimen Hill Primary School - $32,670

“This latest round of our Planned Maintenance Program means we’re delivering the repairs and maintenance our local school needs, to deliver the better learning experiences our local kids deserve," Ms Edwards said.

This funding is part of $7.8 million for Term 1 Planned Maintenance Program funding statewide, to undertake 202 maintenance projects.

The Planned Maintenance Program provides funding for high-priority maintenance across Victoria’s government school network.

It ensures schools can undertake essential work to classrooms and other school buildings and fixtures, including fixing roofs and replacing windows, resurfacing floors and painting, as well as external landscaping works like improving pathways and lighting.

A specialised evaluation process ensures maintenance support goes where it is needed, when it is needed.
Some $2.3 million will go towards maintenance of Shelter-in-Place buildings at 17 schools statewide. These buildings serve as a temporary shelter for staff and students during a bushfire, or as a shelter of last resort.

In 2022, the Planned Maintenance Program provided $34.7 million to 331 schools, helping ensure buildings at Victoria’s 1,500 state schools are safe, modern and properly maintained.

In the past eight years, the Labor Government has invested $12.8 billion in building new schools and more than 1,850 school upgrades, creating around 17,400 jobs in construction and associated industries.

The Government is ahead of schedule in its commitment to open 100 new schools by 2026, with 75 new schools opening between 2019 and 2024.

The Andrews Labor Government is building the Education State so every student can access a great local school and a quality education no matter where they live.