Local Schools Across Region To Benefit From Air Conditioning Program Rollout

Parliamentary Secretary for Education and Member for Kiama Gareth Ward MP has today announced that that a large number of schools across the region are receiving air conditioning under the first round of the NSW Government’s Cooler Classrooms Program.

Mr Ward said that the following schools across our region to benefit include:

• Kiama electorate schools to benefit include Illaroo Road Public School, Bomaderry Public School, Mount Terry Public School, Tullimbar Public School, Albion Park High School and Albion Park Rail Public School;
• Keira electorate schools to benefit include Austinmer Public School, Wollongong High School of the Performing Arts and Woonona East Public School;
• Shellharbour electorate schools to benefit include Dapto High School, Kanahooka High School, Koonawarra Public School, Lakelands Public School, Mount Brown Public School, Oak Flats High School and Peterborough School;
• Wollongong electorate schools to benefit include Berkeley West Public School, Coniston Public School, Five Islands Secondary College, Port Kembla Public School, Unanderra Public School, Warrawong High School and Warrawong Public School; and
• Heathcote electorate schools to benefit include Bundeena Public School and Engadine West Public School.

“I am extremely pleased that all of these local schools across our region will receive air conditioning under round one of the New South Wales Government’s Cooler Classrooms Program,” he said.

Mr Ward said it was very welcome news for the students, teachers and staff at each of these schools.

“I am extremely pleased that these local schools will benefit because this program is also part of our continued commitment to providing environments where our students and teachers can best succeed,” he said.

“We are also delivering on our commitment to provide healthy learning environments in which our students and teachers can thrive, no matter the weather.

“Delivering air conditioning to more schools than ever before is only possible due to the strong economic management of the Liberals & Nationals Government.

“More than 900 schools be the first to receive funding under the NSW Liberals & Nationals Government’s record $500 million program – the largest investment of its kind in NSW history.

“Schools that have an average maximum January temperature of 30 degrees or more – will now automatically receive air conditioning in their classrooms and libraries, while all other schools can apply for funding under the Cooler Classrooms Fund on a needs basis.

“Previously only schools with an average maximum January temperature of 33 degrees or more were air conditioned.

“The first round of applications took place throughout Term 3 this year. A second round will open in the new year.

“Unlike NSW Labor’s plans, the NSW Liberals & Nationals’ Cooler Classrooms program was both economically and environmentally sustainable.

“We’re installing solar panels and ‘smart systems’ alongside the air conditioning units, so schools can offset their additional energy use and efficiently heat and cool their schools,” Mr Ward said.

In addition to the hundreds of schools benefiting under the Cooler Classrooms program, air conditioning will be delivered in all new and upgraded schools under the Government’s record $6 billion school building program over the next four years.

Other local School Principals are encouraged to apply to the second round of the Fund, which will open on Day 1 of Term 1 next year.

More information can be found on the website at: www.schoolinfrastructure.nsw.gov.au.