Devon Meadows school council president Darlene Chidgey is angry that the Building the Education Revolution (BER) scheme has run out of money to demolish their old classrooms. 70821
By Bridget Cook
DEVON Meadows Primary School has been left with a derelict, unusable, asbestos-ridden building and no play area after the Building the Education Revolution (BER) scheme ran out of money for demolition works.
The primary school was given a grant under the scheme for a new building with classrooms and agreed to have it built over their existing play area.
They did so with the understanding that once their new building was completed, their old classrooms would be demolished as part of the project to make way for the playground areas to be restored.
However Devon Meadows school council president Darlene Chidgey said she had been told that the scheme had run out of money to demolish their old classrooms.
And Devon Meadows is not alone; it is believed 59 other schools around the state are in a similar situation.
But the State Government says the problems are a product of the previous Brumby Government’s mismanagement.
Ms Chidgey said as they were under the impression that it was going to be pulled down. The builders had cut through the electricity wires and cut holes in the floor and roof.
“It’s now an empty shell,” she said.
“Schools are given so much each year to do maintenance around the school. We didn’t spend any money on it as we thought it was coming down.
“It would now take thousands of dollars spent on it for us to be able to ever use it again.
“It’s not safe for children. It’s also got asbestos in it.
“We expect it to be gone, we were promised it would be pulled down.”
Ms Chidgey said they also wanted to re-erect a playground area but had no space to do it.
Ms Chidgey said the debacle had taken away from the excitement of their new BER building.
“Our new building is just beautiful,” she said.
“But part of the excitement was to get rid of the old building and get new play equipment there.
“Now we are stuck with an eyesore in the middle of the school. It’s just sitting there as a magnet for vandals.”
James Martin, spokesman for Education Minister Martin Dixon, said the fact that Devon Meadows and many other schools just like it faced this problem, highlighted how poorly the previous Labor Government handled the BER program.
“Many schools have been disadvantaged because of the program’s poor management – either through significant cost over-runs or lack of flexibility,” he said.
“The minister is aware of the situation faced by Devon Meadows and has asked the department to work with the school to assist them.
It is our understanding that the building will be dismantled as soon as money becomes available.”
Devon Meadow Primary School is holding a trivia night on Saturday 22 October, from 7pm, to raise funds for new play equipment.
Cost is $10 per person with tables of 10, with a silent auction and raffle on the night.
For details or to book, call Ms Chidgey on 5998 2304.
