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School maintenance backlog in St George area wiped to zero

Every school in the St George district will have its maintenance backlog wiped to zero, ensuring students enjoy the best possible learning environments.

Member for Oatley Mark Coure MP said a re-elected Liberals & Nationals Government would clear every maintenance job currently outstanding in the eighteen public schools in the Oatley electorate by July 2020.

“Over the past four years this Government has worked tirelessly to collaborate with our schools to ensure they are kept in the best condition,” Mr Coure said.

“We’re now wiping the slate clean and ensuring all outstanding maintenance jobs at our schools such as carpeting, roof maintenance and painting works will be carried out.”

Some of the recent maintenance works completed at local public schools include:

· $41,800 for airconditioning at Lugarno Public School

· $250,000 for new roofs at Georges River College – Peakhurst Campus

· $490,000 for a Learning Unit Upgrade at Hurstville South Public School

· $225,000 for fresh paint and new carpet in classrooms at Peakhurst South Public School

“While Labor closed schools in our area like Narwee High School, our Government is rebuilding and upgrading schools like Penshurst Public School, Hurstville Public School and Penshurst West Public School.”

Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the NSW Liberals & Nationals Government inherited a $1 billion school maintenance backlog from the former Labor government.

“We have worked hard to reduce the maintenance backlog and I am delighted to confirm we will now clear it completely,” Ms Berejiklian said.

“It is only because of the strong economic management of the NSW Liberals & Nationals that we are in a position to keep our schools in their best possible condition, and fix the problems created by Labor.

“When Labor was last in Government, they closed schools, sacked teachers and racked up a huge maintenance liability as our schools fell into disrepair.”

Education Minister Rob Stokes said the NSW Liberals & Nationals Government will invest a further $449 million to clear the backlog by July 2020, bringing the total investment to nearly $1.3 billion.

“We are making the largest investment into public school infrastructure by any State government in Australian history. This investment shows our commitment to maintaining existing schools as well as building new ones,” Mr Stokes said.

“We’re delivering more than 170 new and upgraded schools across the State and we will ensure that each school provides the world-class facilities that our students and teachers deserve,” he added.