The long-awaited Bairnsdale Secondary College Stage Two will be completed in late 2023 at a cost of $7.14 million, a delighted Gippsland East Nationals MP, Tim Bull said today.

“I’ve raised this matter no less than 25 times in parliament in the past seven years. I think every State MP knows about the Bairnsdale Secondary College, but you’ve got to keep hammering away to get the outcomes you want in relation to matters like this,” Mr Bull said.

The Coalition Government funded and built stage one (opened in 2014) and committed to stage two if re-elected.

Mr Bull said it had been a long battle to get the current government to fund the completion, but seven years later it was great to finally get the news it is going to be done.

“As they say, ‘better late than never’.

“Among other works, I have been advised by the Minister that stage two will deliver a new Year Seven hub and refurbishment of the science block.

“The successful builder is expected to be appointed before the end of this year.

“My advocacy on this project has been based on the fact this is the biggest school in our region and has been left half built, with students being forced to walk between the old and new campuses, which is far from ideal when it is raining.

“Having toured the old Wallace Street site on a number of occasions, it is clear it is not befitting of our largest secondary college.

“Since 2014 we have seen changes in principal and a good rotation of school council members, but all have been strong advocates for getting this job completed and I thank all the school council members in that time for their efforts.”

Mr Bull said that while the completion of stage two would not be until 2023, it was very pleasing to finally have a date and it was something the Bairnsdale and district community could look forward to.

Caption: Nationals Gippsland East MP, Tim Bull, outside the Bairnsdale Secondary College, which will finally have its $7.14m stage two completed by late 2023 ready for the 2024 school year.