The Nationals’ Member for Mildura, Jade Benham, has criticised the Allan Labor Government for wasting taxpayer money on short-term fixes at Mildura West Primary School (MWPS) instead of delivering long-overdue new classrooms.
Ms Benham said the Government announced that $637,433.39 would be provided to MWPS through its 2025–26 Planned Maintenance Funding program.
“That’s over half a million dollars being poured into tired, outdated buildings when we should be focused on providing new, fit-for-purpose classrooms, not repairing tired, white-ant damaged classrooms,” Ms Benham said.
“Expert architects have recommended demolishing five classrooms, but instead an incredible amount of money is being spent just to patch them up.
“I first visited MWPS in 2023 and saw firsthand the conditions students are forced to learn in. It is absolutely appalling that children are learning in buildings that should have been demolished years ago. If this was a city-based school, there would have been action already.
“These upgrades are only a patch. The buildings will soon deteriorate again, leaving the school back in the same position, relying on chipboard and plywood to repair the damage,” she said.
Ms Benham praised the persistence of the school community in advocating for new classrooms.
“Together with the school, I have long been campaigning for proper upgrades. For too long, the Labor Government has ignored the needs of regional schools and families. I will continue to fight to ensure every child, no matter where they live, has access to safe, modern learning environments.”
MWPS has had two master plans, the most recent in 2018. Students are currently learning in the main building, which has been divided up by the school itself and is being held together with plywood. The only parts of the master plans completed are one building and a renovated toilet block.
“There have been master plans but what we need now is action. Our schools deserve more than just cosmetic fixes. They need real investment in their infrastructure,” Ms Benham said.
“Labor can’t manage education infrastructure and regional schools are paying the price.”
