Families at Bundalaguah Primary School are rightfully frustrated after learning the school’s long-awaited toilet block upgrade has been downgraded to a partial renovation, despite receiving more than $425,000 in funding.
The Nationals’ State Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, said the situation is unacceptable and he has raised the matter directly with the Minister for Education, Ben Carroll, in State Parliament, requesting a full explanation and urged the Minister to commit to building what was promised to the school.
“Last year the Victorian School Building Authority allocated $425,366 for this project and the school community was invited to choose between two designs – a renovation or a full rebuild,” Mr Bull said.
“The school community made it clear they wanted a complete rebuild of the toilets. Now, months later, they’re being told the project will only involve renovating the existing structure due to cost constraints, and the school is expected to contribute $20,000 of its own funds. That’s simply not good enough.”
Mr Bull said the cost blowout raises serious questions about the Government’s financial oversight and planning.
“Let’s be clear. This is a toilet block. Just on half a million dollars should be more than enough to deliver a safe, modern facility for students. We are not talking about a complex build,” he said.
“In fact, you could construct a three-bedroom home with multiple bathrooms for this kind of money. So why can’t we build a basic toilet block for this amount?”
Mr Bull said the Allan Labor Government’s refusal to deliver the rebuild as promised has let the school community, especially the students, down.
“When government money is allocated, there should be certainty. If poor planning or an off-the-shelf design led to a budget miscalculation, the burden should not fall on the school or its families,” he said.
“Students deserve to feel safe and comfortable using their school facilities. They asked for a new toilet block with a bird and windproof roof. I think they should get one.”
Mr Bull has called for an immediate review of the project’s scope and budget transparency.
“Labor can’t manage money and can’t manage school projects.
“It’s time the Minister stepped in and fixed this,” Mr Bull said.
Caption: Gippsland East Nationals MP, Tim Bull, with School Council representative Skye Doyle, outside the Bundalaguah Primary School, where $450,000 is not enough to replace the toilet block – a figure a new house can be constructed for in the private sector.
