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Upgrades in the works for northern beaches schools

INTERACTIVE MAP: Millions of dollars are being spent on schools across the northern beaches with improvements and big developments planned or already underway.

There are plenty of school development projects takign place on the northen beaches. Picture: iStock
There are plenty of school development projects takign place on the northen beaches. Picture: iStock

Millions of dollars are being spent on schools across the northern beaches with improvements and big developments planned or already underway.

Manly MP James Griffin said there was a “heap of work going on” in his electorate including a $41m project at Curl Curl North Public where construction has begun on 40 new classrooms, a new library, upgraded administration facilities a new hall, external play space and landscaping.

The classrooms, admin facilities and library will be ready by the start of school next year and the rest by 2021.

INTERACTIVE SCHOOL MAP

Manly Vale Public recently underwent a huge redevelopment. The $42 million project includes 40 new flexible classrooms, a new library, canteen, a covered outdoor learning area and a hall.

Other school projects in Manly include a $200,000 upgrade to the canteen and substantial refurbishment of existing classrooms at Manly West Public School.

On top of that there is more than $3 million in capital maintenance works for local public schools including new toilets at Balgowlah Heights Public School, disability access at Northern Beaches Secondary College Balgowlah Boys and new fences at multiple schools.

Mr Griffin said Liberals committed to clearing the backlog of maintenance issues at public schools across the state by July next year as part of its pre-election pledge.

Manly Vale Public School. Picture: (AAP Image/CRAIG WILSON)
Manly Vale Public School. Picture: (AAP Image/CRAIG WILSON)

“I’m really proud of our investment in our students and that we are able to deliver them the best learning environment as possible,” he said.

“We are committed to ensuring in the Manly electorate that there is world class facilities for our students and teachers.”

In Pittwater, MP Rob Stokes said he was thrilled that Mona Vale Public would see its demountables go and replaced with air conditioned classrooms and upgraded core facilities.

In addition, it will also see a new multipurpose performance centre, which will be available for use by the school and wider community. The new centre will provide specialised music rooms, dance studios and a theatre performance space.

He said the $2.5 project had already been provided to the Northern Beaches Council to kick start the community performance space.

Barrenjoey High School. Picture: Annika Enderborg
Barrenjoey High School. Picture: Annika Enderborg

“This is great news for local families and I’m thrilled to work in partnership with Council to deliver on our commitment to ensure this major upgrade includes a community performance space,” Rob Stokes said.

“The school upgrade and new multipurpose performance centre will have enormous benefits for our community.”

Barrenjoey High School is also to get a new Community Performance Space again in partnership with Northern Beaches Council.

The NSW Liberal Government has provided more than $1.2 million towards the project which has been led by the school’s P&C Association and supported by Northern Beaches Council.

“This will provide amazing benefits for the school and the wider community,” Mr Stokes said.

Meanwhile, in Wakehurst the maintenance backlog bill alone amounts to $4m, with a big project at Brookvale Public which will see an upgrade to its existing school hall and two new permanent classrooms.

Mackellar MP Jason Falinski. (AAP Image / Adam Yip)
Mackellar MP Jason Falinski. (AAP Image / Adam Yip)

And in Davidson, Killarney Heights Public will be expanded to provide seven new permanent teaching spaces and core facilities.

Students at Covenant Christian School in Belrose will benefit from a $50,000 upgrade of communication facilities to support students with disabilities.

Meanwhile, Mackellar’s federal MP Jason Falinski said the Australian Government had provided $250,000 towards the project at Northern Beaches Christian School through the Capital Grants Program. It will benefit from new outdoor learning and playground spaces.

“Students and teachers thrive when their schools have modern and up-to-date facilities — that’s why the Morrison Government is proud of the Capital Grants Program, which has benefited thousands of schools across the nation,” Mr Falinski said.

“The Capital Grants Program provides funding for non-government schools to improve capital infrastructure,” he said.

Schools looking for further investment have an opportunity through the Coalition Government’s $30.2 million Local Schools Community Fund.

Mr Falinski said there was less than one month to go for schools to apply for grants between $1,000 and $20,000 towards school projects.

Warringah MP Zali Steggall. Picture: Kym Smith
Warringah MP Zali Steggall. Picture: Kym Smith

“These projects can be anything that benefits the school community, with schools applying for funding for solar panels, kits for robotics and coding, hydration stations, clinical offices for medical services, outdoor play equipment, student wellbeing programs, composting and colour coded waste bins,” he said,

“I urge all schools in Mackellar to think about the best way this funding can help their students and the local school community and to submit an application.”

Applications to the Local Schools Community Fund are open to eligible government, Catholic and independent schools until 30 September.

Schools can apply through SchoolsHUB — schools.education.gov.au/

Meanwhile, Warringah MP Zali Steggall is calling on community groups to apply for $150,000 worth of funding that’s been made available for local projects, including schools.

The Stronger Communities grants programme is an annual scheme offered by the Federal Government and seeks to fund projects that improve local community participation and contribute to vibrant and viable communities.

Grants of between $2,500 and $20,000 are available under the scheme and applicants are expected to match grant funding either with cash or in-kind contributions.

Ms Steggall says it’s a wonderful opportunity for local groups, including sports and school groups, to fund their projects.

Interested groups will need to submit an expression of interest by September 5 to Ms Steggall’s office. Go to zalisteggall.com.au/communities_environment_program

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Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/manly-daily/upgrades-in-the-works-for-northern-beaches-schools/news-story/9f0c7a19a94388bd45d8201015693da1