By Cam Lucadou-Wells
Schools in Narre Warren have been granted multi-million-dollar upgrades but a fund for growth suburbs’ infrastructure has been slashed in the 2017-’18 State Budget.
As part of the 2 May budget, Fountain Gate Secondary College is set to receive $4.5 million for a Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths (STEM) centre.
A $5.02 million performing arts centre has been announced for Narre Warren South P-12 College.
The projects are expected to be completed in 2019 and 2020 respectively.
Fountain Gate principal Pete Hanratty said the centre would host a program of “high-level digital literacy”, including coding, programming, robotics, nano-technologies, 3-D printing and use of sustainable material.
Narre Warren South MP Judith Graley said Narre Warren South P-12’s existing auditorium – with poor acoustics, no seating and no performance space – was in much need of an upgrade.
She said the new centre would allow the school to build on its Fusion and Young and Gifted programs.
“After a long campaign, they will now be able to do even more in their very own performing arts centre,”
“I`m just so very proud that we have achieved this fantastic result for such an extraordinary school, and I simply can’t wait to attend the very first performance.”
However, in a blow to growth areas, the State Government has slashed by half the $50 million annual Growing Suburbs Fund.
According to budget papers, the infrastructure fund across 11 interface councils such as Casey will be allocated $25 million a year over the next two years.
The fund is used for building or upgrading facilities in growth areas such as swimming pools, community centres and parks.
According to the State Government, the fund is being continued as a long-term commitment.
“With 76 projects from the first two years on the go, we are continuing the Growing Suburbs Fund,“ Local Government Minister Natalie Hutchins said.
“It’s funny that a member of Matthew Guy’s Opposition suddenly cares about servicing outer suburbs councils, when his own leader in government failed to care or respond when this was an issue then,” Ms Hutchins said.
Opposition local government spokesman David Davis said the growth councils faced “greatly magnified” challenges in the wake of the “big cut in this year’s budget”.
It would lead to vital and necessary local infrastructure projects being put on hold, Mr Davis said.
“The growth councils more than any other face unique challenges of meeting their growing communities’ legitimate expectations of adequate infrastructure and services.”
In other State Budget news, Casey’s northern suburbs also receive:
* $2 million towards an SES station in Clyde
* $4.8 million towards an already-announced $38.4 million upgrade of Hallam Road, Hampton Park
* $7.7 million for noise wall repairs on Monash, Eastern and Frankston freeways and South Gippsland Highway
Funding has also been allocated for the under-construction Monash Freeway upgrade and the already-announced Casey Hospital expansion.
