Audit aims to fill the cracks

By Bridget Cook
THE State Government has committed to a huge maintenance audit of all government schools after recently released figures revealed the cracks in infrastructure – with Casey’s repair bill among the worst in the state.
The figures revealed that Cranbourne Secondary was the third worst school in the state, from the audited schools, in terms of maintenance backlog.
The figures, obtained through Freedom of Information by the Herald Sun, showed that the school needed more than $2 million to help fix the 532 faults that have been lodged.
The faults include damage from cracks in doors, walls and roofs, repairs needed to classroom equipment and replacement of cooling and heating systems.
Cranbourne Secondary College principal Ken Robinson did not wish to respond to the News’ inquiries before going to.
However, Cranbourne Secondary College was not alone with a number of other Casey schools needing extensive work.
It is estimated that Hampton Park Secondary College would require almost $700,000 in repairs for its 458 faults and more than $230,000 for Lyndhurst Secondary College’s 191 faults.
Last week, Education Minister Martin Dixon announced a full audit of the condition of buildings in every government school in Victoria.
The Condition Assessment Audit is part of the government’s $100 million school maintenance fund and will be used to help prioritise maintenance needs across the state.
The additional $100 million maintenance funding will increase annual maintenance spending from $59 million under Labor to $87.5 million a year over the next four years.
Mr Dixon said the audit had two purposes – to better direct maintenance funding to urgent projects and to give principals the information they needed to better direct their annual maintenance funding.
He said the audit would provide an assessment of the condition of all classrooms, outbuildings and covered walkways.
“The government understands that principals know their schools best and this audit will provide them with another tool to make decisions on maintenance work that addresses the needs of the school community,” Mr Dixon said.
South Eastern Metropolitan Region MP and Parliamentary Secretary for Education Inga Peulich welcomed the announcement of the audit.
“This audit will examine every building in every government school,” Ms Peulich said.
“It sends a strong message to the Casey community that the Baillieu Government will work hard to ensure that we try to fix the mess left behind by the former Labor Government.”
Ms Peulich said she had visited local schools and spoken to local principals and witnessed buildings needing urgent repair.
“Some schools face considerable capital works and maintenance challenges and the audit is a much-needed process to prioritise works across the communities,” she said.
The government’s maintenance audit will begin this week and is expected to be completed by May next year.