Next Step Taken in $1.8bn Schools Infrastructure Plan

The Victorian government is calling for tenders for 11 new schools to be built in and around Melbourne as part of its $1.8-billion budget commitment to education infrastructure over the next 12 months.

The Victorian Schools Building Authority (VSBA) says the new early-learning, primary and secondary schools, as well as facilities for special needs education, are expected to cost about $500 million and be completed by the end of 2024.

The 11 tenders are part of 13 new schools announced in the government’s May budget, costing $527.2 million.

Most of them are west of Melbourne, including three in Werribee, two in Tarneit and another two in Aintree.

The VSBA is tendering for a $45-million secondary school in Recreation Drive, in Aintree, about 30km west of Melbourne.

The school—to be built in two stages—will include specialist learning areas for design, arts, technology and science; as well as a gym and performing arts building.

The first phase will cater for 550 students but in a second phase enrolments will grow to 1200.

Next door will be a $30-million specialist school, also expected to open in 2024, with places for 144 students.

▲ The tenders are part of the government’s $1.8 billion budget commitment to education infrastructure over the next 12 months.

The government will spend $60 million on another secondary school, with an adjoining specialist facility, in Frome Crescent in Werribee.

The two-storey high school will include an administration building with library, facilities to teach food technology, science, music and drama, as well as a sports field and a competition-grade gymnasium.

The first stage of a $45-million secondary school in the western suburb of Tarneit will include STEM learning (science, technology, engineering, and maths), a gymnasium, performing arts building and library.

The school, to be built in Connaught Road, will open with places for 1200 students, including 100 places for students with disability. Additional building will add a further 900 students.

Tenders have also been called for a two-storey, $45-million primary school and early-learning centre in North Tarneit. The Tuition Drive building will also be built in stages with an eventual enrolment of about 900 students.

Primary schools are also planned in the Melbourne suburbs of Mickleham, Kalkallo, Clyde North and Brookfield.

▲ The successful bidders for the school builds are expected to be announced in September this year.

A spokesperson for the Department of Education and Training said tenders would close next month and would be awarded in September. 

“As per government policy, tenders for contractors to undertake works of this scale are required to be open for six weeks,” they said.

“We conduct robust tender processes to ensure the best value for money, probity, accountability and capability.

“Designs will be finalised in conjunction with the appointed contractors and renders released once designs are completed.”

The Victorian budget, announced in May, also included $658.2 million for upgrades and improvements to existing schools, which included $92.2 million for relocatable buildings to relieve pressure at schools that are reaching capacity.

About $236 million was budgeted to acquire land in Cardinia, Casey, Greater Geelong, Hume, Melton, Whittlesea and Wyndham for future schools.

The government said the investment would create almost 3900 additional jobs in construction and related industries—with more than 3100 jobs in metropolitan Melbourne and 750 in regional Victoria.