The state will need about 900 new kindergartens, 60 new government schools and 20 per cent more space for TAFE by 2036, according to Infrastructure Victoria’s Learning for Life report.
Titled Learning for life: preparing kindergarten, school and TAFE infrastructure for the future, the report finds much of the demand for new education facilities will be in Melbourne’s growth areas.
“Our modelling shows Greater Melbourne will need up to 60 new government schools over the next decade or so,” Infrastructure Victoria Chief Executive Officer Dr Jonathan Spear said.
“Ninety-five percent of these schools will be in Melbourne’s fast-growing communities, including Wyndham and Melton in the west, Whittlesea in the north and Casey in the south-east.”
While private and not-for-profit providers can meet some of the need for kindergartens, Infrastructure Victoria said the government must step up to fill in investment gaps.
The north, west and southeast growth areas of Melbourne would benefit the most from this investment.
Victoria will need 138,000 more kindergarten places by 2036 and that could cost up to $17 billion if the government delivers all 900 new facilities for three- to four-year-olds.
But depending on the level of private investment, this could cost between $6.1 billion to $11 billion.
“We recommend the government immediately publish their priorities for kindergarten investment over the next 5 years,” Spear said.
“Sharing regularly updated information about the demand for and supply of kindergartens will reduce the likelihood of gaps in access and gives private and not-for-profit providers more confidence to invest.”
Spear said there will also be a need to expand existing schools in Melbourne’s inner and middle suburbs as those communities continue to grow.
“The Victorian Government is on track to meeting its goal to open 100 new schools by 2026,” he said.
“Our modelling shows the best way to deliver the schools we will need beyond 2026 is to build larger new schools and expand existing schools where there is land to do so. We’re recommending the government begin this delivery and expansion before 2030.”
Building larger new schools could cost $5.9 billion, a saving of $1.5 billion, compared with the government’s historical approach to delivering school infrastructure.
Strong demands for TAFE will require the government to find an extra 125,000 square metres, or 20 per cent, of space by 2030 for Melbourne’s west, north and southeast growth areas.
Spear said planning for the pipeline of future kindergartens, schools and TAFE needed in the coming decade will deliver big benefits.
“With long-term published plans, updated as areas change and grow, more Victorians can access quality education and facilities for lifelong learning,” he said.
To download the full Learning for life: preparing kindergarten, school and TAFE infrastructure for the future report, click here.
