Critical upgrades at Westgarth Primary School have hit an important milestone with the appointment of an architect to deliver better facilities for Westgarth students.

Member for Northcote, Kat Theophanous today announced Caisson Design Group would design works to be undertaken at Westgarth Primary to deliver much needed roof replacement works at the Brooks Street campus and upgrades to storm water dispersal.

Ms Theophanous has been working closely with the school to have the ongoing leak issues addressed. On behalf of the Westgarth Primary community, Ms Theophanous wrote to the Minister for Education, raised the issues at the school in Parliament and worked with the Department of Education to ensure the importance of the works were properly understood.

The collaborative efforts of Ms Theophanous, Principal Wheeler and the school community have been successful, with the school securing a $450,165 investment from the Andrews Labor Government to deliver the extensive works.

Ms Theophanous said today’s announcement was an important step towards delivering better facilities for students and ending the class disruptions caused by significant leaks and water damage.

The funding is delivered through the Minor Capital Works Fund, and builds on $150,000 in emergency maintenance funding secured for Westgarth in early 2020, bringing the total funding to over $600,000.

Earlier this year, Ms Theophanous was also delighted to announce Westgarth Primary would receive $166,000 as part of the Andrews Labor Government’s Inclusive Schools Fund. This project will transform the front of the Brooks Street campus to create a brand-new accessible play space and landscaping.

The works at Westgarth Primary are just one of a number of exiting school upgrade and modernisation projects completed or underway across the Northcote Electorate, with Ms Theophanous securing over $78 million for local schools over the last two years.

The Victorian Government is building the education state, with more than $10.9 billion delivered over the past seven years to build new schools and undertake school upgrades.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Education James Merlino

“Every student should have a great school, no matter where they live. That’s why we’re investing in hundreds of small but important projects that will make a big difference for schools and create jobs for Victorians.”

Quotes attributable to Member for Northcote, Kat Theophanous MP

“These upgrades are critical to ensuring students at Westgarth Primary have access to their classrooms without the disruption of leaks and damaged equipment.”

“My mission is to ensure every student in the Northcote Electorate has the modern facilities they need to learn and thrive. The funding for repair works and a new inclusive playground are a big step forward for Westgarth Primary but I know there’s more to do.”

“This funding was made possible thanks to an incredible collaboration with the school community, and I look forward to continuing to work constructively with parents, teachers, students and Principal Wheeler towards an even better future for this great local school.”