WORK will begin at Galvin Park Secondary College after the troubled Werribee school received $14million in yesterday’s state budget.
The money will be used to rebuild a science wing and repair 30-year-old buildings.
The school will receive $832,000 in 2012-13. But the government is yet to say when the remaining $13.1million will be allocated.
The funding is a significant windfall for the school, which was forced to close down late last year because of extensive storm damage.
Black mould was also discovered in some of the school’s buildings, forcing students to finish the year at nearby schools.
The Education Department worked over the summer holidays to make the school safe but the science wing has remained closed.
Tarneit MP Tim Pallas welcomed the $14million but warned the government it had to commit to completely rebuilding the school.
“The government has started the project with $832,000 [in 2012-13] and that is good news, but I would have thought the government could have given greater clarity on when they would finish the project.”
The government also redirected $4million promised to the Western Autistic School at Niddrie in last year’s budget towards building a P-12 autism school at Laverton.
Action for Autism Education founder, Werribee’s Danny Sorbello said the announcement created some uncertainty.
“Wantirna Heights is getting $6.5million … good luck to them, but it just shows you where the government’s interests lie.”
Funding from last year’s budget was also released for Tarneit Central P-9 College and Point Cook South East P-9. But Werribee Secondary College missed out on funding to complete the third stage of its rebuild.
Mr Pallas said it was disappointing the school would have to wait another year for the rebuild to be completed. He also said the government had left the community in limbo by not funding the next stage of building works at Tarneit Secondary College or indicating what its plans were for the former Glen Devon Primary School site.
Education Minister Martin Dixon said the government had doubled the school improvement fund to $20million.
“Funding will be provided to schools identified as highest priority for urgent works following completion of the audit,” he said.
