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Victoria has an unprecedented opportunity to develop 21st century educational facilities. With the country’s new economic stimulus plan and the state’s own Victorian Schools Plan, an integrated strategy provides every school the opportunity to improve its infrastructure.
Williamstown High School, Victoria
As part of Australia’s recently released economic stimulus plan, AUD 14.7 billion has been committed to Australian schools over the next three years through the Building the Education Revolution programme. The Victorian government school system’s share is expected to exceed AUD 2.4 billion.
In Victoria, the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development (DEECD) regional offices are working with schools to address education provision issues and infrastructure improvement opportunities on a school network basis. This encourages schools in a network to work together to achieve the best use of funds.
In November 2006, the Victorian government announced its Victorian Schools Plan, an ambitious programme committed to rebuilding or modernising every public school by 2016/17. This commitment included AUD 1.9 billion to rebuild or modernise 500 schools between 2007/08 and 2010/11. Victoria is well underway to surpass the original plan, with over 900 schools scheduled to be rebuilt or modernised by 2010/11.
Uquhart Park Primary School, Victoria
Strong linkages will be made between the Victorian Schools Plan and the economic stimulus plan to achieve better value when appropriate and effective.
DEECD is leading Victoria’s implementation of the economic stimulus plan for public schools through three programmes:
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Primary Schools for the 21st Century – AUD 12.4 billion nationally including AUD 2 billion for public schools in Victoria. This funding is for all Australian primary schools, K-12 schools (primary school component) and special schools to build new iconic facilities such as libraries, multipurpose halls or classrooms, or to upgrade existing facilities. This programme will be rolled out over three rounds, the first of which will see construction of facilities commencing in June 2009.
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Science and Language Centres for 21st Century Secondary Schools – AUD 1 billion for the construction of new science laboratories and language learning centres. Funding will be allocated via a national competitive process; applications were due by May 2009.
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National School Pride Programme – AUD 1.288 billion nationally including AUD 0.2 billion for public schools in Victoria. This funding is for all Australian schools, public and private, to fund minor capital works and maintenance projects. This programme is being rolled out over two rounds, and 60% of applications have already been funded.
In order to support Australian jobs, all economic stimulus plan projects will receive funding this financial year. So that Victorian public schools maximise this funding opportunity, DEECD has fast-tracked design, procurement and construction processes.
Yuille Park P-8 Community College, Victoria
Victorian public schools are now able to access world-class school design templates developed using the latest educational standards. These templates meet strict design principles related to pedagogy, community use, student safety and ecological sustainability. The templated designs have been prepared to construction ready status; enabling the DEECD’s project managers to proceed to tender and construction in the minimum time possible.
These templates can be viewed at www.education.vic.gov.au/about/directions/buildingrevolution/.
Support material on DEECD school design work is available at www.education.vic.gov.au/management/infrastructure/schooldesign.htm.
A plan of 21st century library and learning neighbourhood features is available here.
For more information, contact:
Peter Stewart
General Manager Infrastructure Division
Department of Education and Early Childhood Development
Level 2, 2 Treasury Place
Melbourne VIC 3001
Australia
E-mail:stewart.peter.jp@edumail.vic.gov.au
www.education.vic.gov.au
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