- Published:
- Friday 7 February 2020
Students in Lilydale and the Upper Yarra region are a step closer to having the first-rate facilities they deserve, thanks to the Andrews Labor Government.
Acting Premier and Minister for Education James Merlino and Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing today visited Lilydale High School, Lilydale Heights College and Upper Yarra Secondary College to turn the sod on three exciting building projects that will transform secondary education in the area.
The projects are part of the $20 million Lilydale and Upper Yarra Education Plan that will deliver facilities that allow the schools to develop complementary learning focuses in zoology, sustainability and technology.
The work at Lilydale High School comprises a $5.8 million rebuild of its Zoology Learning Centre and new
administration facilities. The new centre will include science learning spaces and will be a major boost to the school’s reptile room program, providing purpose-built enclosures to house lizards, snakes and other animals.
The $8 million project at Lilydale Heights College will deliver a Sustainable Learning Hub, new gym and create a ‘town centre’ where students can meet, learn and discuss issues. The work will also include a science lab, technology space, general learning areas and the refurbishment of an existing senior study centre into a new canteen and staff room.
The college also benefited from $173,000 of Labor Government funding to build an inclusive sensory and
therapeutic garden, which opened in 2017.
At Upper Yarra Secondary College, a $6.2 million project will upgrade and modernise the school’s facilities, delivering flexible contemporary indoor and outdoor learning spaces. The project includes a state-of-the-art science and technology building and landscaping.
All three projects are expected to be completed and ready for students to use by the middle of 2021.
The Labor Government is building the Education State so that every student can access a great local school and education.
It has invested $6.1 billion to deliver more than 1,400 school upgrades, supporting more than 7,500 construction jobs, and committed to opening 100 new schools by 2026 to ensure all families have access to a great local school.
Quote attributable to Acting Premier and Minister for Education James Merlino
“These exciting projects will give Lilydale teachers the modern facilities they need to deliver the 21st century education that students deserve.”
Quote attributable to Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing
“This plan has been designed with the local community and it will help local schools work together with a new focus on subjects and issues that will help students get rewarding jobs.”