Territory Alliance to pump $100 million into upgrading school infrastructure if elected

TERRITORY Alliance has vowed to spend $100 million to upgrade school infrastructure, in the first major financial commitment made by a party in the lead up to the election

TERRITORY Alliance has vowed to spend $100 million to upgrade school infrastructure across the NT as part of its education policy, in the first major financial commitment made by a party in the lead up to the August election.

The party, led by former teacher and principal Terry Mills, would establish the infrastructure fund and roll out upgrades over the term of government, should they win.

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They have also committed to spending $9 million over a decade to “encourage the co-location of early childhood and school facilities in connected education precincts”.

The policy, to be released today, includes a commitment to deliver priority upgrades for five schools; Larrakeyah Primary School (Port Darwin), Berry Springs Primary School (Daly), Katherine High School (Katherine), Casuarina Senior College (Casuarina) and Bradshaw Primary School (Araluen).

At Larrakeyah Primary, the party would endorse the school’s masterplan and construct a new classroom block and new preschool.

At Berry Springs they would upgrade the school hall, which doubles as a cyclone shelter for surrounding communities.

The party’s policy also vows to create a “clear and transparent” needs based criterion for applications by any NT school to the infrastructure fund.

Mr Mills said investing in education facility upgrades would provide better learning environments, create jobs and in turn aid the economy.

The money, indicated by the party’s policy, would come from borrowings.

“With interest rates at record lows and going to stay that way Territory Alliance will invest in upgrading our essential infrastructure to keep the local economy above water,” Mr Mills said.

Making school precincts a one-stop shop for kids drop offs by co-locating early childhood facilities would “strengthen the connection between teachers, parents and local communities” according to the party.

Priority Infrastructure Upgrades:

Larrakeyah Primary School: Endorse the Larrakeyah Primary School Masterplan and commence with Stage One, construction of a new Classroom block and New Pre-School to alleviate the capacity constraint issues at this inner Darwin school.

Students at Larrakeyah Primary School. Picture: Supplied

Berry Springs Primary School: Commence an upgrade of the school hall, a facility which

also serves as a cyclone shelter for the rural communities of Berry Springs, Darwin River, Livingstone and surrounds. More significantly, this shelter cannot be used for purpose due to its poor acoustics which adversely affects students with additional needs. It cannot be currently used for school programs like large assemblies as it needs cooling. We will use the Millner and Malak assembly hall eco-friendly models for cooling.

Casuarina Senior College: Refurbishment of two classroom blocks not significantly upgraded for decades and enclose existing pavilion. The College is well positioned to take pressure off other urban senior colleges with this significant upgrade.

Students Ethan Cameirao, Nickolas Dakis and Gladys Anence at Casuarina Secondary S in 2019. Picture: Katrina Bridgeford.

Katherine High School: New library, toilet upgrades, classroom painting and fit-out and IT upgrades. Katherine High has been experiencing a spike in enrolments in recent years with additional pressures coming from the RAAF expansion at Tindal Air Base. In addition to this Stage One construction project Territory Alliance will work with the Australian Defence Force to promote a partnership to create a new STEM building.

Bradshaw Primary School: Provision of a new inclusive playground and shade cover for the junior school.