$3 million upgrade promised for college

An elected Liberal Nationals state government will deliver a $3 million upgrade to Neerim District Secondary College.

Shadow education minister Tim Smith joined Member for Narracan Gary Blackwood at the college yesterday.

Mr Blackwood said the college had remained largely unchanged since its establishment in 1963 and the commitment will allow the school to upgrade a range of classrooms and modernise the learning environment to achieve the best outcome possible for students.

He said a new science and technology learning centre, named after former Member for Narracan John Delzoppo, was funded by the Baillieu government in 2013 and this $3 million commitment would build on that investment.

“Students and teachers deserve the best facilities we can offer them and this commitment today will provide investment that will enhance the high quality of education currently being delivered.

“Most of the buildings at Neerim District Secondary College reflect the era of the 1960s and the time has come to provide significant investment to modernise the facilities.

“I’ve worked tirelessly with the school to secure this commitment,” Mr Blackwood said.

Mr Smith said premier Daniel Andrews and his Melbourne centric government had ignored rural and regional Victoria.

“We will ensure regional school communities receive the attention they deserve and this announcement today is just one small step towards a better future for regional schools,” he said.