Five Moorabool schools will share in more than 244,000 in state government funding for maintenance and bushfire preparation.
Darley Primary School will receive $156,522 from the government’s Planned Maintenance Program to help it prioritise and complete maintenance works on classrooms and facilities.
The school is one of 24 schools across the state to share in more than $13 million from the funding program.
The government said the schools would use the money to carry out essential works such as fixing roofs and replacing windows, maintaining ramps, painting, resurfacing floors or improving pathways.
Balliang East Primary School will receive $21,269 from the government’s Bushfire Preparedness Vegetation Program, while Coimadai Primary School will receive $24,194, Lal Lal Primary School will receive $20,137 and Trentham District Primary School will receive $22,324.
The four schools are among 330 government schools to share in $8.4 million in bushfire preparedness funding, according to the government.
The Bushfire Preparedness Vegetation Program was introduced in 2018 to help schools undertake essential vegetation clearance around the school buildings prior to the bushfire season and in line with municipal fire danger periods.
Schools receiving funds are listed on the Bushfire At-Risk Register (BARR). These schools are required to undertake vegetation works on a regular basis to reduce the risk of harm to the school’s community and buildings in the event of a bushfire.
The Bushfire Preparedness Vegetation Program also includes a School Support Program, providing two school visits to each participating schools by an accredited Bushfire Planning and Design consultant who develops a Vegetation Management Plan.
Schools can also engage additional bushfire related professional services – such as a Bushfire Attack Level expert – to provide further advice and support in reducing their bushfire risk.
Education Minister Ben Carroll said the funding would help ensure schools are in the best possible condition and to protect classrooms and facilities in the event of a bushfire.
“We know how devastating bushfires are – that’s why we’re continuing to support schools to be as fire-ready as possible,” he said.
