Maintenance backlog tops $3M, say Shadow Minister

Shadow Minister for the Central Coast, Mr David Harris, has called on new NSW Premier, Ms Gladys Berejiklian, to address the backlog of maintenance for Peninsula schools, totalling over $3 million.

According to Mr Harris, Brisbane Water Secondary College Umina campus had a maintenance bill of almost $1.2 million, Woy Woy South Public School had a maintenance bill of more than $1.1 million, and Woy Woy Public School had a maintenance bill of more than $950,000.

Mr Harris said he would like to see Ms Gladys Berejiklian and her new cabinet "addressing the appalling backlog of maintenance on Central Coast schools".

Mr Sven Wright from the Department of Education said $330 million had been allocated in the 2016-17 state budget.

"The $330 million was allocated over the next two years to allow for planned and priority maintenance works to be undertaken in schools across the State," he said.

"This is in addition to our ongoing maintenance program and is the single largest increase in maintenance funding in the last 20 years.

"This increase in funding will target roofs, floor coverings and painting, as well as other backlog maintenance works selected by school principals.

"The Department of Education is currently consulting with principals to plan these works to ensure high priority maintenance items are undertaken first.

"As its first priority, and in addition to backlog maintenance funding, the department ensures that all schools are safe and compliant," Mr Wright said.

Media release, 31 Jan 2017

Zachary Harrison, Office of David Harris

Emails, 3 Feb 2017

Sven Wright, Department of Education

Reporter: Jasmine Gearie