The Victorian Government will get shovels in the ground and thousands of people back to work, building the projects that matter to Victoria – and creating the jobs that matter to Victorians.

As we face the biggest economic challenge in generations, and as industry and business find new and innovative ways to adapt, the Victorian Government is rolling up our sleeves and playing its part to drive new economic activity – and with it, creating thousands of new jobs across the state.

Today, the Government launched the first part of our Building Works package, which will provide $2.7 billion towards shovel-ready projects – big and small – to get thousands of people back to work.

At the centre of the Building Works package is $1.18 billion in education infrastructure projects that will create space for more than 21,000 extra students in Victoria’s education system and create more than 1,600 local construction jobs. We are building ten new schools, delivering a further four stages of new school projects, upgrading or modernising 57 schools, purchasing and refurbishing relocatable school buildings, making modifications for students with disability, as well as carrying out fast and job creating maintenance on schools and TAFEs across the state.

Here in Ballarat, four schools will share in $39 million including Ballarat High School, Delacombe Primary School, Miners Rest Primary School, Phoenix P-12 Community College.

Funding also includes local sports facility upgrades, improving waterways and coastal areas, and revitalisation and maintenance projects from tree-planting to graffiti removal in communities across the state.

The transport network also gets a big boost, with $328 million for resurfacing and patching roads, around 300 kilometres of regional track improvements, repairs at more than 15 train stations, and more maintenance on our trains and trams, adding to Victoria‘s $107 billion job-creating Big Build.

The Government will also invest more than $100 million for the critical upgrades of CFA and SES stations, disability accommodation, mental health and aged care facilities across Victoria – ensuring that just as we’re building our state, we’re making it safer and fairer too.

Quotes attributable to the Member for Wendouree Juliana Addison

“These projects at Ballarat schools are part of the school building boom happening right across Victoria.”

“We’re building on what was already a record-breaking infrastructure pipeline so all Victorians are supported.”

Quotes attributable to the Member for Buninyong Michaela Settle

“Making sure Ballarat students have access to a quality schools and modern facilities is vital to ensuring kids get the most out of their education.”

“We’re going to hit the ground running, with more projects creating more jobs for locals and more certainty.”