The Andrews Labor Government will upgrade schools in Melbourne’s inner north to meet growing enrolment demands and ensure all young people have access to a great local school.

Minister for Education James Merlino today announced the Victorian Government will upgrade Alphington Primary School and Fairfield Primary School to expand their capacity for an additional 400 students.

Following community consultation, the Victorian Government has decided not to progress with a new senior campus for Alphington Primary School at the Amcor Paper Mill redevelopment site. As outlined in the community engagement report released today, the school community did not support this option.

Instead, the $14.1 million previously earmarked for the Amcor Paper Mill development site will be reallocated to upgrade Alphington Primary School and increase its capacity for 200 additional students and deliver a new competition-grade gymnasium.

The Victorian School Building Authority will work with Alphington Primary School on developing a design that maximises open space while also increasing capacity.

The Government has also already funded and purchased an additional site for Fairfield Primary School and invested $2.5 million for the first stage of upgrades at the school. This upgrade was completed and opened this year, which included a brand new two-storey modular building including six learning spaces and a student common area.

The Andrews Labor Government today announced a further $7 million as part of the Victorian Budget 2019/20 for the second stage of works at Fairfield Primary School. Design work on this stage is well underway, including a proposed new building at the Wingrove Street site to expand the school’s capacity by an additional 200 students.

The Victorian Budget 2019/20 also includes $4.1 million to transform the facilities at Wales Street Primary School with an upgrade to Block A, Block B and Block D.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Education James Merlino

“We’ve taken on board what the school community has said and we’ll continue to work with Alphington Primary School to achieve an outcome that is right for the school.”

“We’re upgrading schools so they can take more student enrolments and ensure every young person in Alphington and Fairfield has access to a great local school.”

Quotes attributable to Member for Northcote Kat Theophanous

“We will now build a new competition grade gymnasium and additional classrooms for Alphington Primary School with a $14.1 million upgrade to the school.”

“A further $7 million has also been delivered in the State Budget for another stage of works at Fairfield Primary School and $4.1 million for an upgrade at Wales Street Primary School.”