Thirty-one state schools in the Clarence and Richmond Valleys have won the bids they were invited to submit last year to upgrade their facilities, Clarence Nationals MP Chris Gulaptis has announced.

“What is different about the Nationals in NSW Government’s $120 million Regional Renewal Program is that schools themselves send their wish lists to the Government, which then prioritises funding decisions,” Mr Gulaptis said.

“In total, the Clarence and Richmond Valleys are getting over $4.8 million for 31 projects which is more than our fair share.”

Mr Gulaptis said the costliest project with a price tag of nearly $1.4 million was an overhaul of shade structures, walkways and covered outdoor learning areas at Maclean High School.

“But there are other great projects right across our region, like environmental improvements at the tiny school in Stratheden in the Richmond Valley, a refurbished canteen at Nymboida School and works on toilets and sporting facilities at other schools across the region.

The twenty schools that will benefit are Baryulgil Public School; Casino High School; Casino Public School, Casino West Public School; Copmanhurst Public School; Chatsworth Island Public School; Coraki Public School; Coutts Crossing Public School; Cowper Public School; Dundurrabin Public School; Gillwinga Public School; Grafton High School; Grafton Public School; Gulmarrad Public School; Harwood Island Public School; Hernani Public School; Iluka Public School; Induna Public School; Lawrence Public School; Leeville Public School; Maclean High School; Maclean Public School; Manifold Public School; Nymboida Public School; Palmers Island Public School; South Grafton High School; South Grafton Public School; Stratheden Public School; Tucabia Public School; Ulmarra Public School an Woodburn Public School.

Delivery of these projects will be undertaken in the next 18 months as part of the NSW Nationals in Government’s economic stimulus package for NSW schools.

The Regional Renewal Program will provide a government co-contribution of between 50 to 80 per cent for school infrastructure improvements to high priority schools in regional NSW. Projects may include new and upgraded covered outdoor learning areas, science facilities, toilet blocks, administration buildings and canteens.

Chris Gulaptis is pictured with the  Minister For Education Sarah Mitchell and Maclean High School leaders during a visit to the School in October last year. 

Maclean High School has been awarded nearly $1.4 million under the Regional Renewal Program for new shade structures, walkways and covered outdoor learning areas.

File photo.