By Ethan Benedicto
Three new schools are planned for the City of Casey in the coming years as part of the 2024-2025 State Budget.
Released on the afternoon of Tuesday 7 May, the budget announced Casey Central Primary School, Clyde Creek North Primary and Secondary coming in 2026 as part of the new additions under the $948 million funding for 16 new schools.
Narre Warren South MP Gary Maas said that “we’re investing in the projects and services that Victorians need”.
“Including an upgrade to Lyndhurst Secondary College that will deliver world-class learning spaces for students and their hard-working teachers,” he said.
Lyndhurst Secondary College, alongside Cranbourne Secondary College will be among the 25 existing schools that are part of the $227 million fund for capital upgrades, such as improvement of existing school facilities and modernisation.
The overall budget for new schools, upgrades to existing institutions and additional maintenance is $1.6 billion, with the budget aiming to build on the 2018 promise to build 100 schools by 2026.
On the other hand Liberal MP Ann-Marie Hermans said that “Premier Jacinta Allan’s first budget has just reinforced Labor’s waste and continued mismanagement”.
“Labor’s State Budget released today is just another horror budget setting this state back into further catastrophic debt,” she said.
Ms Hermans added that overall debt has increased by $21.8 billion to a projected $187.8 billion by 2028.
She also criticised the failure to address longstanding issues in the southeast, in addition to promising projects and then “cannot afford to deliver” such as the Suburban Rail Loop.
“We have issues that need fixing in the south east, we have a very sad homelessness issue, lack of affordable rentals and housing, youth crime out of control and the cost-of-living is making it impossible for people to manage,” she said.
However, Labor MP Lee Tarlamis is confident that the budget is dedicated to helping families in the southeast, from the cost-of-living, to schools, and healthcare.
“From new classrooms to cost of living relief – this budget is helping families across the south east,” he said.
“That means providing direct support where it’s needed most – from our $400 School Saving Bonus to an expansion of our Glasses for Kids program.”
The $287 million to deliver the School Saving Bonus is a one-off payment for every student enrolled at a government school and eligible families at non-government schools, aimed at helping to cover the cost of school expenses.
A funding of $6.8 million will also triple the size of the Glasses For Kids program, reaching a further 74,000 prep to grade three students at 473 government schools.
