Local families in Strathnairn, Narrabundah and Garran will benefit from a significant investment in new and improved school infrastructure, with the upcoming Budget review to include over $156 million package for three ACT public schools.
“As we seek to chart an economic path out of the pandemic, it is more important than ever that we invest strongly in our local infrastructure. These projects will create hundreds of jobs and deliver new and improved schools and community facilities across the city.” ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr commented.
“Every local school is a great school and these projects continue our record of delivery when it comes to school infrastructure. Ginninderry is growing and having the region’s first school open in Strathnairn in 2025 will give local families – and families looking at moving to the region – confidence that they will have a high quality local public school close to where they live.” Minister for Education and Youth Affairs Yvette Berry “I also know from my discussions with members of the Garran and Narrabundah communities that they will be looking forward to these upgrades to their schools over the coming years.”
Minister Berry said that the investment is part of our plan to deliver infrastructure that is built for Canberra and built to support our growing city. The investment will also help to create and protect local jobs to support our economy recovery from the impacts of COVID-19 lockdowns. The Minister explained that a new, zero-emissions primary (P-6) school and early childhood education centre will be built in Strathnairn to open in 2025 to ensure that families moving to Ginninderry have access to free, public education.
Minister Berry explained that the Government is continuing the modernisation of Narrabundah College, which will include new building works and provision of additional modular learning centres for staff and students to use while preparatory works are undertaken for further stages. The Minister said that this package of public-school upgrades will also include upgrades to Garran Primary School, with a complete redevelopment and expansion of the much-loved local school. The Minister went on to explain that this project will include the delivery of all new learning and administration facilities, car parking and improvements to school access. The capacity of the school will be increased to up to 800 students and will also include a new gymnasium, hard courts and green spaces, providing more sporting facilities for the Woden community. The Minister said that the first stage of the Garran Primary School’s upgrade, the construction of a new school campus, is scheduled to be completed by the 2025 school year. The Minister also said that both Narrabundah College and Garran Primary School will continue to operate with as little disruption as possible while these modernisation works are undertaken.
