Victorian schools receive $8.4M for bushfire risk reduction

By Contributed

Aug 1, 2024

Schools like Avenel Primary School, Tallarook Primary School, and Puckapunyal Primary School will benefit from the Bushfire Preparedness Program. Photo by Lachlan Durling

The Victorian Government is distributing grants to schools statewide to reduce bushfire risk through vegetation management.

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Almost 100 schools in northern Victoria are among 332 government schools sharing $8.412 million for essential maintenance work through the Bushfire Preparedness (Vegetation) Program.

Among the schools benefiting from this funding for 2024-2025 are three local institutions: Avenel Primary School, Tallarook Primary School and Puckapunyal Primary School.

State Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes, said the state government will continue to provide Victorian students with access to world-class environments for learning and thriving.

“This funding means that our staff and students can feel safe and prepared during the warmer months, and hopefully these works can ease any worries they may have during bushfire season,” she said.

The BPVP, introduced in 2018, assists schools listed on the Bushfire at Risk Register. It helps these schools clear vegetation around buildings before bushfire season and during high-risk fire periods.

Additionally, the program includes a School Support Program.

This offers twice a year visits from certified Bushfire Planning and Design consultants, who assist with bushfire season preparation and update Vegetation Management Plans every three years.

Minister for Education Ben Carroll said that the government understands how devastating bushfires are and just how long-lasting their impacts can be, and that’s why it is continuing to support schools to be as fire-ready as possible.

“These grants will help more than 330 schools at risk of fire clear vegetation – to protect their classrooms and facilities in the event of a bushfire,” he said.

Over the past decade, the Victorian Government has invested $16.9 billion in public education projects, including constructing new schools and renovating more than 2,000 existing facilities.

This substantial investment has supported over 26,000 jobs in construction and related industries.

The initiative aims to enhance safety measures and emergency preparedness in local schools, safeguarding both school communities and infrastructure against potential bushfire threats.