Cash adds up

By Lia Bichel and Bridget Cook
EDUCATION in the City of Casey received a major funding boost from the State Budget.
The State Government announced funding to buy land for the new Casey Central East Primary School and $22 million for a new Trade Careers Centre at the Chisholm Institute of TAFE, in Berwick.
Narre Warren North Primary School will also receive $20,000 for minor works.
South Eastern Metropolitan Region MP and Parliamentary Secretary for Education Inga Peulich said she welcomed the election commitment to education in the area.
“The funding commitment in (Tuesday’s) budget follows on from the pre-election announcement of funding for a range of education facilities to meet the growing needs of the Casey community,” she said.
Ms Peulich said the government was also planning for a Years 10 to 12 at Timbarra College.
Narre Warren South MP Judith Graley has welcomed the funding for land acquisition to build Casey Central East Primary School, but said the campaign must continue to ensure it was built.
“This result is testament to our strong local community campaign to build a new primary school for our local area,” she said.
“While I welcome this news, I do so with some caution. The budget included funding for land acquisition but not construction.
“We must continue to hold the Baillieu Government to account to ensure that the funding is provided to build Casey Central East Primary School.”
The Berwick Trade Careers Centre will include a multi-trade building construction workshop, multi-function laboratories, a brick-laying facility and industry seminar room.
Gembrook MP Brad Battin said the project was exciting news.
“Apprentices from the Gembrook electorate will no longer have to travel to Dandenong for training – soon they will have just a short train or bus ride to Berwick.”