- Minister for Planning
The Andrews Labor Government is making it easier for Catholic and independent schools to upgrade and build new vital education facilities across Victoria.
Minister for Planning Richard Wynne has introduced a streamlined planning permit process for non-government schools that receive funding under the Non-Government Schools Capital Fund.
The new planning process provides support to the non-government school sector and boosts the education sector's capacity to effectively manage current and forecast demand for school infrastructure in the state.
The Minister for Planning now becomes the responsible authority for major planning permit applications under the program, ensuring essential infrastructure can be delivered to communities sooner.
Work is also underway on broader review of the planning system to fast-track all non-government school approvals.
The Labor Government's $402 million Non-Government Schools Capital Fund is increasing student capacity by funding school expansions and significant upgrades to existing facilities.
The funding is part of a record $1.82 billion investment in Victoria's education infrastructure in the Victorian Budget 2019/20 - delivering on the government's promise to make Victoria the Education State.
With more than one third of Victorian students attending Catholic or independent schools, the government is making sure that all students benefit from this investment in school infrastructure.
Since 2015, more than $6.1 billion has been invested to deliver new primary and secondary schools, and upgrade more than 1,400 existing ones.
This investment is ensuring every child has access to a great education and all schools are better equipped to prepare students for the 21st century.
For more information on the Non-Government Schools Capital Fund visit schoolbuildings.vic.gov.au.
As noted by Minister for Planning Richard Wynne
"These changes will reduce red tape and make it quicker and easier to deliver the significant upgrades our non-government schools need."
"We're ensuring we have the right community and education infrastructure for our growing population."
As noted by Minister for Education James Merlino
"Every student deserves access to modern school facilities, and with more than a third of Victorian students attending non-government schools we're making sure they benefit from our record investment."
