Northern Victorian schools are among the most disadvantaged in the state and the condition of many schools has deteriorated under the Allan Labor Government, according to a new report by Victoria’s independent auditor.
The Nationals’ Member for Northern Victoria Gaelle Broad said the recent report by the Victorian Auditor-General’s Office (VAGO) – Delivering School Upgrade Projects – reinforced what she had been told by school communities.
“I have recently visited several schools in my region that are struggling with ageing facilities and long-overdue infrastructure upgrades.”
The report identified many schools in “poor” condition, including Bendigo Primary School, Bendigo Special Development School, Camp Hill Primary School, Eaglehawk North Primary School and Redesdale Mia Mia Primary School.
The audit found:
- 29 per cent of school upgrades experienced cost blowouts.
- 25 per cent of projects were delayed.
- The number of schools in poor condition increased from 182 to 221 in just two years.
- The government’s target of having no schools in poor condition has been pushed back from 2030 to 2034.
- Schools are not always selected for upgrades in line with existing prioritisation guidelines.
The report also found smaller schools with lower enrolments are often less likely to receive major upgrades, despite requiring significant investment to maintain facilities
Ms Broad said she recently visited a school which had encountered ongoing frustrations and challenges in dealing with the Victorian School Building Authority (VSBA).
“The VSBA had appointed a particular builder for this school but works took much longer than expected and the works were incomplete and below standard. The school notified the VSBA but the issues were not resolved in a timely manner or in some cases not at all.”
Problems included – the roof on a multipurpose building had to be replaced within six months after the job was ‘completed’. Steel framing arrived that was not galvanised. It was installed anyway and had to be removed later; and new lockers were left out in the weather because there was no room for them in the new building.
Complaints against the government-appointed contractors were not investigated
The school also reported serious concerns over quotes provided by the VSBA.
The VSBA quoted $2 million for new basketball courts. The school raised their own funds, used local contractors and completed the project for $500,000.
The school was quoted $38,000 for the removal of a shed. Instead, the school used local contractors and had the shed removed for $1,500, then on-sold it for $4,000.
“This school prides itself on providing strong social support and high-quality education in a rural setting and they are doing a great job, but these issues are costly, time consuming and very frustrating for the school community.
“These examples raise wider concerns over the continued waste of taxpayers’ money. Labor cannot manage money and our regional schools are paying the price.”
“There’s an election in November, and the Nationals and Liberals have a plan to stop the waste, end the corruption and give Victoria a fresh start.”
The report is available at: Delivering School Upgrade Projects
Media Contact: Linda Barrow 0484 303 764 linda.barrow@parliament.vic.gov.au
