- Published:
- Tuesday 13 September 2016
Victorian schools will be thriving community hubs with new libraries, sports facilities, performing arts centres and early learning centres to be shared with the whole community, under a new Andrews Labor Government initiative.
Minister for Education James Merlino today launched the $50 million Shared Facilities Fund, which will help schools and communities build shared facilities on school grounds.
Mr Merlino launched the fund at Community Bank Stadium in Diamond Creek, which is a great example of the benefits of local schools and the community sharing facilities.
Opened in 2012 and managed by YMCA Victoria, it is used by Diamond Creek East Primary School and Diamond Valley College, as well as local gymnastics, netball, basketball, futsal and karate clubs.
The Labor Government’s Shared Facilities Fund will establish similar facilities, with councils and organisations such as universities, community and sports organisations able to apply for funding to build community facilities on school sites.
The fund will target growth areas where more community services are needed, including Casey, Wyndham, Whittlesea, Hume, Melton, Cardinia and Mitchell.
Information about how to apply for the Shared Facilites Fund is available at http://www.schoolbuildings.vic.gov.au/Pages/shared-facilities-fund.aspx, with applications closing on 18 November.
The Government is building the Education State so that every Victorian student gets the opportunity for a great education and every community has access to a great school.
There are now 42 new government schools and hundreds of school upgrades in the construction pipeline following the Government’s record $1.8 billion investment in school infrastructure.
This school building boom will create 4000 construction jobs and ensure all Victorian families have access to a great school no matter where they live.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Education James Merlino
“Schools are the lifeblood of their community, and this fund will help them become thriving local hubs with first-rate facilities that can be used by the local residents, sports clubs and community groups.”
“Facilities shared between schools and communities help bring together our neighbourhoods – they make services more accessible for everyone and help create a sense of community pride and value in our schools.”