The Student Representative Council (SRC) at Castlemaine Primary School is advocating for a new playground to replace the school’s deteriorating play space.
Parents and the student council recently invited Member for Northern Victoria region Wendy Lovell MLC to take a tour of their school grounds highlighting the issues with the playground and netball courts.
Ms Lovell told the Mail it’s a great school but the playground leaves a lot to be desired.
“The slide and a fireman’s pole have had to be removed, the upright poles are split or are rotting at the base, many of the rock wall footholds have either been removed or are loose and the netball courts are cracked and the surface is uneven. In short this playground must be replaced,” she said.
Ms Lovell said the school has been applying for grants from the state government’s Minor Works program to replace the structure for several years but unfortunately has been unsuccessful.
“There was no grants program in 2022 so they couldn’t even apply,” Ms Lovell said.
Ms Lovell promised students she would be raising the need for funding directly with the Minister “because these students deserve better!”
Bendigo West MP Maree Edwards said she had also met with the student leaders of Castlemaine Primary some weeks ago, just before the government went into caretaker mode.
“They are preparing a petition to present to parliament as well as letters to the Minister for Education,” she said.
“This was the first indication I had that the school was in need of a new play area,” Ms Edwards said.
“I have suggested that they think big and give some thought to what they want the school outdoor area to look like.
“There will be opportunities for funding from the state government. I have been working with them on solutions and I am confident that by continuing to work with the school and the students we will reach an outcome that benefits all the students and families at the school,” Ms Edwards said.
“The Andrews Labor Government has delivered record investment to schools across Bendigo West with almost every school receiving funding for a rebuild or an upgrade and I’m determined to continue that support,” Ms Edwards said.