The Territory Labor Government is supporting local jobs and investing in our children with a $10.8 million classroom stimulus program to support the construction industry through the COVID-19 pandemic.
As part of a schools stimulus package, the government will spend $10.8 million to build 15 new pre-fabricated classrooms.
The majority of the classrooms will be constructed now and transported to remote communities when coronavirus quarantine restrictions are lifted. Some may be used in urban schools if there is a need for them.
The final locations will be determined by community consultation, educational need, student numbers, and the condition of existing infrastructure.
The stimulus project is expected to support at least 55 local construction jobs.
The stimulus includes a modest allowance for demolition of buildings considered beyond economic repair and these new buildings will replace them.
These pre-fabricated classrooms provide high quality educational spaces with good acoustic qualities and state-of-the-art IT connectivity.
They are also an effective solution for schools that are experiencing an increase in enrolment or retention of older students in communities and to replace aging infrastructure with a quality product.
As stated by Minister for Education, Selena Uibo.
"The Territory Labor Government is working to save as many local jobs as possible through the coronavirus pandemic.
"By investing in school infrastructure, we are not only supporting the local construction industry, we are investing in the futures of the Territory's most important asset: our children.
"Transportable classrooms are an excellent way to continue investing in our bush school infrastructure, while strict quarantine measures are in place to protect our vulnerable remote communities.
"This investment comes in addition to our announcement last week that the jobs of more than 1700 casual school support staff will be guaranteed in the event of school closures due to the pandemic.
"We are all in this together. We need to work together to help each other as much as we can."
