By Brendan Rees
The construction of three new world-class schools in Casey will be fast-tracked – with an expected completion date by the start of 2020, the State Government has announced.
Minister for Education James Merlino confirmed on 11 May that tenders were being sought for the construction of primary schools in Botanic Ridge, Casey Fields (Five Ways) and Clyde North East.
The Labor Government this week advertised for design and construct contractors to submit an expression of interest to carry out design completion and documentation, procurement, construction, commissioning and defect rectification for eight new schools in the South East.
Last month Premier Daniel Andrews joined the Minister for Education James Merlino in making the announcement of the new schools in Casey at Clyde North’s Wilandra Rise Primary School on 23 April – which forms part of a $353 million package in Victorian Budget to build schools in the state’s fastest growing areas.
It’s estimated that 90,000 students are expected to enter the school system in the state over the next five years.
Mr Merlino said the State Government was getting on with the job of building better schools, so local students have the facilities and classrooms they need to succeed.
“In contrast, in 2016 not one new school opened because the Liberals failed to plan for our growing state. We won’t let that happen again,” he said.
“We’re not wasting a minute – with EOIs now out and construction to follow, we’re giving local families in our fastest growing areas certainty that they will soon have a great local school, close to home.”
Victorian Opposition leader Matthew Guy said had the Government not scrapped the East West Link project at a cost of $1.3 billion, 40 news schools and 40 new police stations could’ve been purchased.
“If it was just schools, 77 new schools in our growth areas could’ve been built,” he said.
