School maintenance backlog wiped to zero

For the first time in the State’s history the school maintenance backlog will be wiped to zero, ensuring students across NSW enjoy the best possible learning environments.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Education Minister Rob Stokes announced today that the NSW Liberals & Nationals would clear every maintenance job currently outstanding at the State’s 2200 public schools.

“We inherited a $1 billion school maintenance backlog from the former Labor government and will now be reducing that number to zero,” 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.

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

Under today’s announcement, 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.

Mr Stokes said the funding would allow schools to accelerate important work such as carpeting, roof maintenance and painting.

“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.

“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.”

The extra maintenance funds will be spent on roofing, painting and carpeting projects at schools across NSW, including $300,000 at Nimbin Central School, $300,000 at Regentville Public School and $200,000 at Dalmeny Public School in Prestons.