By Tate Papworth
The Labor candidate for the seat of Footscray has vowed to deliver funding to fully redevelop Sunshine College.
Katie Hall, who has been selected to replace Marsha Thomson as Labor’s candidate in next month’s state election, told Star Weekly she wanted to see the college redevelopment go ahead as planned.
As previously reported in Star Weekly, asbestos was unexpectedly discovered at the school and clean-up costs will chew up $5.5 million of the $28 million redevelopment funding, significantly reducing the scale of the proposed upgrades.
In August a department of education spokeswoman confirmed that no additional funding would be given to help with clean-up costs.
However, Ms Hall said: “I believe the students in Sunshine deserve the very best facilities to learn in and to fulfil their potential.
“I want to see the original vision for the school delivered as set out in the masterplan.”
Ms Hall said her discussions with Minister for Education James Merlino had left her hopeful.
“This should be an exciting project for students in Sunshine and I want us to be in a position to return to that excitement and optimism,” she said.
“I share the dismay in the school community about the significant amount of unforeseen asbestos and the impact this has had on the redevelopment budget.
“I have been in regular contact with the minister’s office and have had a number of productive discussions with Minister Merlino about the building works and what can be done to ensure the project is delivered as planned.”
Asbestos was found in the concrete footings of the buildings and in fire-retardant paint at the college.
While a school asbestos removal fund exists, Ms Hall said the discovery came at a time when all funds had been allocated.
“This funding was announced earlier in 2018, prior to the discovery of the asbestos at the west campus,” she said.
“The first priority of the government has been to remove all asbestos, make the site safe and then get on with building works.
“The need for Sunshine College to have funding for the asbestos removal has not been dismissed.
“I will continue to advocate so that Sunshine College does not miss out.”
