The Brumby Labor Government has cut red tape and streamlined the planning system to secure a new $2 million gymnasium for Little Yarra Steiner School in the Yarra Ranges.
Planning Minister Justin Madden today visited the school, as part of the Brumby Labor Government’s most recent Community Cabinet, to announce that he had approved plans for the project.
“The Brumby Labor Government is taking action to build better schools in partnership with the Commonwealth, so children can do better at school,’’ Mr Madden said.
“This decision will benefit more than 250 students and create jobs.’’
“We are using the planning provisions to speed up the approval of building works for schools in most need of new educational facilities.
“This decision will benefit more than 250 students and create jobs.’’
The new gymnasium will be funded by the Federal Government’s National Building and Economic Stimulus Plan.
Little Yarra Steiner School is a unique education centre set on a 24 hectare site, two kilometres north of Yarra Junction.
Mr Madden said the proposal for the new gymnasium took into account the surrounding environment and included sustainable features.
“This gymnasium with assist Little Yarra Steiner School is committed to providing a diverse academic, social and physical education in a lively classroom atmosphere,” he said.
“We agree with parents that nothing is more important that a children’s education and we are standing up for Victorian families by speeding up the planning approval process to ensure students have access to the resources they need to achieve their best.’’
Member for Gembrook Tammy Lobato welcomed the announcement, saying the Brumby Labor Government understands the importance of the Little Yarra Steiner School to the Yarra Junction community and is working to build a better future for our kids.
“The Brumby Labor Government planning reforms mean Little Yarra Steiner School students will benefit from its fantastic new gymnasium sooner, with works to begin shortly,’’ Ms Lobato said.
Mr Madden said the streamlined planning process for schools across Victoria will help secure $1.4 billion of Commonwealth funding for Victorian schools to build new facilities including libraries, science and language centres.