FUNDING for new schools in growth areas should be included in the next state budget, according to Western Metropolitan Liberal MP Andrew Elsbury.
Treasurer Michael O’Brien is set to hand down the Napthine government’s first budget on May 7, and Mr Elsbury said he wanted funding for new primary and secondary schools in the west.
“As we know, people are continuing to move into the western suburbs so we need more school projects to be funded,” Mr Elsbury said.
“Seventy-eight babies a week are being born in Wyndham, so we need to start setting plans in place to accommodate them in the future.”
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Last year, the state government redirected $4 million that was promised to the Western Autistic School at Niddrie to a P-12 autism school at Laverton.
It also provided an additional $4 million for the Laverton P-12 College regeneration project and there was$14 million allocated to redevelop Wyndham Central College.
But opposition MPs criticised the government for not funding building upgrades at schools in Brimbank, or funding new schools in the Point Cook, Tarneit and Williamstown electorates.
Mr Elsbury said he hoped this year’s budget would also provide funding to improve public transport in the west.
Earlier this month the government announced extra bus routes in Point Cook, Truganina and Williams Landing, but Mr Elsbury wants routes added in Caroline Springs and Altona. “We need to improve connectivity,” he said.
