Buildings at Norwood Secondary College in Ringwood North miss out on capital works funding

AFTER being snubbed in the State Budget, Norwood Secondary College is asking for a cash injection to fix up its run-down campus.

A warning sign relating to asbestos at the school. Picture: Steve Tanner

A SECONDARY college built almost 60 years ago is appealing for money to fix its ailing buildings, after being snubbed in the State Budget.

Norwood Secondary College school council president Cathie Wright said the school was plagued by maintenance issues.

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“The facilities are quite old and were developed in the 1950s. We seriously need capital works funding.”

She said the school, with a steady enrolment of more than 1000 students, had made various cosmetic upgrades over the years but some rooms were now “beginning to fall apart”.

A door to a portable classroom has a makeshift lock. Picture: Steve Tanner

Norwood received no capital funding in the state budget, despite similarly-aged schools (Eastwood Primary School and Ringwood Secondary College) being given millions for comprehensive redevelopments.

The Coalition also pledged a further $10 million for Ringwood Secondary College if re-elected.

“The last funding Norwood got was in the mid-to-late 1990s,” Ms Wright said.

“Mr Dixon’s own words were that all students should have access to the most up-to-date facilities.”

Ms Wright said little had changed at the school since she attended the college during the 1980s.

Liberal candidate for Ringwood Dee Ryall toured the college last Monday in response to the school’s pleas for funding.

“Parts of the school are in good condition and parts aren’t,” Ms Ryall said.

“The portables are old, and with age comes maintenance issues.”

A warning sign relating to asbestos at the school. Picture: Steve Tanner

Ms Ryall said she had always advocated for schools within her electorate of Mitcham, and would continue to do so if elected as the member for Ringwood.

“While a lot of schools have needs, some have more than others,” she said.

Spokesman for Education Minister Martin Dixon, Talia Katz, said the Government was balancing the capital and maintenance needs of more than 1500 government schools.

Ms Wright said the college hoped to develop its facilities for the community, given the campus’ accessible location in Ringwood North.

Some of the external damage evident in many of the buildings. Picture: Steve Tanner