Over 500 schools across the state are expecting to receive essential maintenance and bushfire-ready works, thanks to the help of the Victorian Government. 

Minister for Education James Merlino has announced that 282 government schools will share in $12.48 million as funding for projects under the Planned Maintenance Program (PMP). 

The PMP is a program that ensures schools can undertake essential work to grounds and classrooms. These works include the fixing of roofs and windows, painting, resurfacing floors and replacing windows, and external landscaping works like pathways and lighting. 

‘Investing in maintenance works means schools can tend to those essential projects that will make sure our students and teachers have access to safe and modern learning environments,’ Acting Premier and Minister for Education James Merlino said. 

‘We are ensuring all Victorian schools are in top condition, which is why we are funding the maintenance projects that matter most.’ 

The funding adds to the $10.4 million that was already provided to 230 schools through the first term of the PMP allocations. 

The added funding will make sure that existing buildings at Victoria’s 1,500 state schools are safe, modern and properly maintained. 

Acting Premier Merlino said the Victorian Government continues to help schools become fire-ready due to the devastating impacts of bushfires. The Government ensures their aid through the Bushfire Preparedness (Vegetation) Program. 

Over 300 government schools are expected to share in funding from the $9.15 million Bushfire Preparedness (Vegetation) Program for 2021-22. 

The program was introduced in 2018 to assist schools in undertaking essential vegetation clearance works around the perimeter of school buildings.

Only the schools that are identified as being at risk and listed on the Bushfire at Risk Register (BARR) are given funds.

These schools are required to undertake vegetation works prior to the bushfire season and in line with municipal fire danger periods to mitigate the risk of harm to the community and buildings in the event of a bushfire. 

In the past seven years, the Victorian Government has invested more than $10.9 billion in building new schools and more than 1,700 school upgrades, creating around 13,500 jobs in construction and associated industries.

Eliza Sayon

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Eliza is a content producer and editor at Public Spectrum. She is an experienced writer on topics related to the government and to the public, as well as stories that uplift and improve the community.

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