The NSW Nationals in the state government have announced Clarence Town Public School’s inclusion in the Cooler Classrooms Program.
Clarence Town is among 37 schools added to the program, taking the total number to 959 schools across the state.
The program, announced in 2018, is a five-year $500 million commitment to deliver heating, cooling, and fresh air ventilation in NSW Public Schools.
This is the first time there has been a dedicated program to install air-conditioning in schools, with those in the hottest part of the state prioritised.
Nationals Member for Upper Hunter Dave Layzell said the NSW Nationals in the state government are delivering for NSW public schools.
“This program is already being rolled out at more than 900 schools and I am so pleased that the Upper Hunter electorate is continuing to benefit from it,” Mr Layzell said.
“Clarence Town Public can look forward to installation next year.”
So far, 15 Upper Hunter electorate public schools have had their Cooler Classrooms upgrade completed, including Blandford Public School, Gloucester and Muswellbrook High Schools and Merriwa Central School.
Aberdeen, Belltrees, Gresford and Kirkton Public Schools and Scone High School are among the locations where work is now underway.
Nationals Minister for Education Sarah Mitchell said the program is ahead of schedule, and she is thrilled to add more schools.
“Our focus has been on our existing delivery priorities including 611 schools in the hottest part of NSW. I am pleased that we are now in position to include an addition 37 schools in the program,” Ms Mitchell said.
“It is the NSW Government that is delivering record funding in school infrastructure and we will continue to invest in our children’s learning facilities.
“Students right across NSW are benefiting from this program with more than 4,700 classrooms and 330 libraries already completed with more than 10,000 classrooms and 900 libraries now approved for delivery.”
The systems installed as part of the Cooler Classrooms Program incorporate ‘smart systems’ technology that offer heating, cooling, and the provision of outside fresh air.
The units will automatically shut-down after hours and will be powered by solar technology and battery storage to off-set energy usage.
The NSW Nationals in the state government are investing $7.9 billion over the next four years, continuing its program to deliver 215 new and upgraded schools to support communities across NSW.
This is the largest investment in public education infrastructure in the history of NSW.
