Liberals challenged to meet Labor promise for Yarra Junction Primary School improvements

PARENTS at Yarra Junction Primary School are waiting for an answer on funding from the Liberals as the election clock ticks down.

(L-R) Cohen, 5, prep and Tegan, 7, grade 2. Yarra Junction Primary School is in desperate need for an upgrade. Picture: Josie Hayden

WITH only two months until the state election, Yarra Junction Primary School is still desperate for a government commitment to upgrade crumbling buildings.

After a passionate campaign from the school community, Labor, in July, committed $2 million to upgrade the school with a new purpose-built building, classrooms and an art room.

But the commitment has not been matched by the Coalition.

PARENTS SAY ENOUGH AFTER NO SIGNIFICANT STATE CASH FOR 28 YEARS

Seymour state Liberal MP Cindy McLeish said she was still fighting for money to upgrade the school, which earlier this year was forced to pull down its condemned playground.

School council president Brian Westlake said the school community wanted a new building, estimated to cost about $2 million, with two double classrooms to replace two sinking portables, and space for a new art room.

Ms McLeish, who is running for the newly created seat of Eildon, said her party had not made any funding announcements for schools in her electorate, but “Yarra Junction is certainly one I’m fighting for”.

“The Minister (Martin Dixon) has been out there, and understands (the school’s) circumstances, but as yet we haven’t made any announcements,” she said.

Ms McLeish said she had lobbied to make sure a condemned classroom at the school was removed earlier this year and replaced with a portable.

“It wasn’t as quickly as I would have liked, but (the school community) knows we have been very active … in supporting them with their immediate needs.”

Nationals candidate for Eildon Jim Child said: “I want to see a positive outcome for that school.’’

Principal Christopher Thomas has previously told Leader: “All we want is appropriate facilities that our kids deserve”.

The school community has said there had been no significant State Government funding for new buildings since 1986, and the 120-year-old school was now in desperate need of help.