The NSW Government is continuing to improve the quality of classrooms and cut school power bills with an additional 180 schools including five in the Upper Hunter electorate added to the LED Lighting Upgrade Program.
The $157.8 million program was launched in October 2020 as a stimulus response to the COVID-19 pandemic and is replacing old inefficient lights in NSW public schools with smart LED lights.
These additional 180 schools brings the program to a total of 1,000 schools upgraded, supporting more than 1,200 jobs across the State.
Nationals Member for Upper Hunter Dave Layzell said the Lighting Upgrade Program is improving schools and supporting jobs in regional and rural areas.
“This program has been able to target small to medium sized contractors to install the lights which is great for local jobs and our local economy,” Mr Layzell said.
“This program continues to deliver the improved facilities that students and local communities deserve.”
In the Upper Hunter electorate three primary and two high schools have been included in Tranche 4 of the LED lighting upgrade program:
- Barrington Public School;
- Paterson Public School;
- Martins Creek Public School;
- Singleton High School; and,
- Muswellbrook High School.
Nationals Minister for Education Sarah Mitchell said research has shown that improved lighting has a positive impact on students’ education.
“The NSW Government is not only investing record amounts in new and upgraded schools but is also improving existing classrooms, libraries, halls and administration areas for students right across NSW.
“The government is continuing to roll out record amounts of funding for our regions, and schools are a major part of that investment.
The installation works are being tendered using the Local Trades Scheme, allowing businesses and tradespeople the opportunity to bid for the work in their local community.
The NSW Government is 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.
