$3.3 Million For School Facilities Makeover

20 Central Coast public schools are set to receive new and improved facilities, with projects announced in tranche two of the NSW Government’s $120 million Regional Renewal Program.

Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast and Member for Terrigal Adam Crouch said a total of $3,335,000 would go towards playground upgrades, new toilet blocks and improved classrooms.

“This latest tranche of funding means that over $3.3 million is going towards 20 different public schools in our region,” Mr Crouch said.

“The NSW Government invited schools to apply for this funding to improve facilities in October last year, and I am thrilled that so many public schools stretching from one end of the Central Coast to the other made the most of this fantastic opportunity.

“Delivery of each project will occur within the next 18 months and wherever possible, schools will use local construction companies, suppliers and workers as a targeted way of bouncing back from COVID-19.”

President of the Central Coast Council of P&C’s Sharryn Brownlee said the funding was welcome news for schools and their communities after a tough year in 2020.

“It’s exciting to see this further investment in schools across the Central Coast. This funding will help to ensure students have the best possible facilities to create the best possible learning environment,” Ms Brownlee said.

The Regional Renewal Program will provide a co-contribution from the NSW Government of between 50 to 80 per cent for school infrastructure improvements to high priority schools across regional NSW.

Minister for Education Sarah Mitchell said the program forms part of the NSW Government’s COVID-19 Recovery Plan.

“This program is part of the NSW Government’s economic stimulus response to the pandemic, and will deliver educational benefits, community benefits and economic benefits as communities continue to recover,” Mrs Mitchell said.

The NSW Government is investing $7 billion over the next four years, continuing its program to deliver more than 200 new and upgraded schools to support communities across NSW. This is the largest investment in public education infrastructure in the history of NSW.