School maintenance in western Sydney reaches million dollar mark ahead of “priority” funding
A western Sydney school is in need of $2 million worth of repairs, with schools experiencing a multi-million dollar maintenance backlog.
Parramatta
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Broken windows and dripping ceilings are adding up to a multi-million dollar repair bill for western Sydney public schools.
School maintenance across the state has stalled with new documents showing the backlog for maintenance projects increasing by $43 million since 2015.
The documents, obtained by the NSW Labor Party, reveal a $775 million repair backlog; up from $732 million last year.
Among the worst-maintained primary schools is Auburn North Public School, with the school in need of $2,165,518 dollars of repairs.
Labor Opposition Leader and state Auburn MP Luke Foley said the backlog was indicative of the “dilapidated” state of Sydney’s schools.
“In just 12 short months the school maintenance backlog has grown by $43 million,” Mr Foley said.
“(NSW Premier) Mr Baird is the first person to big note the NSW economy but he won’t open the cheque book to start funding the repair of our state’s classrooms.”
The list of western Sydney schools with burgeoning maintenance bills includes Parramatta High School; with $1,277,048 worth of repairs needed, and Westmead Public School needing $1,208,837 in repairs.
The Department of Education has outlined plans to increase the spending on schools in western Sydney as a “priority”, including $4.4 million scheduled to be spent in Parramatta, $2.7 million in Auburn, and $4 million in Granville over the next two years.
“This increase in funding will target roofs, floor coverings and painting, as well as other backlog maintenance works selected by school principals,” a department spokesman said.
“As its first priority, and in addition to backlog maintenance funding, the department ensures that all schools are safe and compliant.”
The Department of Education have said the “priority” projects will be part of a $330 million commitment by the state government for school maintenance across NSW, with funding assigned and jobs set to begin before July 2017.
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