An army of tradies has been working hard on a $200 million school maintenance blitz over the summer holidays and Ellison Public School has been one of the many local beneficiaries.
When students returned this month, they saw the first of the many new covered walkways being put in place in the whole of the Springwood school.
It follows the installation in recent years of a new netball/basketball court and a mural after P&C applications, also through NSW government funding. In addition, accessibility upgrades are planned for later this year.
In total Blue Mountains received $1,660,791 in funding for the school holiday maintenance blitz. Other local schools to receive upgrades included Blackheath Public, Blaxland Public, Lapstone Public, Springwood Public, Wentworth Falls Public and Winmalee High.
Blue Mountains MP Trish Doyle said she was delighted to see the improved facilities for the start of Term 1, 2026.
“As a former teacher it is always my focus, wherever possible, to invest in public education,” Ms Doyle said.
“I am delighted to see these changes at Ellison, a school that has also benefitted from Community Building Partnership Grants via their hardworking P&C. I look forward to getting around to many more schools this year to see the changes.
“Our government is delivering the biggest investment in education in a generation. Having a safe environment to learn in is so important.
“I thank those tradies who worked hard through the summer holidays while we all enjoyed a break, just so they could improve the surroundings for our children.”
Almost 850 public schools across NSW benefitted from the state government-funded works during the break, ranging from routine maintenance and minor upgrades to larger refurbishment projects led by the Department of Education’s local asset management teams.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Education Prue Car said:
“The Minns Labor government is focused on getting the fundamentals right. That means maintaining our schools, improving facilities, and supporting principals, teachers and school communities with the infrastructure they deserve.
“Whether it’s with new paint and flooring, upgraded bathrooms, vital repairs or accessibility improvements, we are ensuring our schools have quality facilities so every student can access a world-class public education.
“These essential works will help ensure classrooms and playgrounds are refreshed and ready for day one of Term 1.
“Labor’s commitment to public education goes beyond bricks and mortar to ensuring every classroom has a qualified teacher, and I am proud that public schools are starting this year with vacancies at a 12-year low, a product of our work to raise wages and improve conditions for this vital profession.”
The maintenance work is on top of the government plan to rebuild education through building 35 new schools and 100 new public preschools.
FAST FACTS
There were more than 1,300 projects worked on across the state during the
program, including painting classrooms and school buildings at more than 300 schools, 200 plus flooring replacement projects and close to 50 bathroom upgrades. Dozens of schools also received critical accessibility improvements, including new ramps and lift upgrades, and others had their outdoor areas and walkways repaired.
The summer school maintenance program included: $36 million for painting, $28 million for upgraded bathrooms and amenities, $21 million for flooring projects, $14 million for accessibility improvements, $12 million for roof repairs/replacements and $2.4 million for specialist classroom upgrades
MEDIA: Sean Sotheran Deputy Premier Prue Car (0433) 881 807
MEDIA: Brenda Cunningham-Lewis | Trish Doyle MP (02) 4751 3298
