Next stage of school building program revealed

Release date: 20 October 2021

More than 50 tender opportunities for architects, engineers, project managers and builders are available as the NSW Government begins the next stage of its historic school building program.

The 44 new and upgraded school projects represent a $3.3 billion investment in NSW public schools and will create more than 16,000 jobs – helping businesses and people across the state begin to recover from the recent COVID-19 outbreak.

Premier Dominic Perrottet said the NSW Government is focused on the economic recovery of the state and also giving kids the best start in life.

“NSW is learning to live with COVID, and today’s announcement provides further certainty to businesses and school communities,” Mr Perrottet said.

“COVID restrictions put a pause on a number of school construction projects, but these are back, and now we are calling on businesses to tender for the next stage of the school building program.

“For our kids to be the best and brightest they need the bricks and mortar to support them and we’re delivering that in spades.”

Minister Mitchell said the $3.3 billion program would create thousands of jobs helping turbocharge the State’s pandemic recovery while delivering better schools for students.

“This building blitz will help drive our economic recovery by supporting jobs in communities throughout NSW providing a much-needed boost to businesses, families giving our economic rebound a valuable springboard,” Ms Mitchell said.

“Our record investment in school infrastructure will see thousands of tradies with tools in hand building new and improved schools giving our kids the best chance to achieve their academic potential.

“This package of works continues the government’s investment in school building with 50 new and upgraded schools delivered in 2020 and a further 18 already delivered in 2021.”

The 44 new and upgraded school projects are in addition to the 85 schools currently being delivered with works continuing under strict COVID safety measures.

The NSW Government is investing $7.9 billion over the next four years, continuing its program to deliver 215 new and upgraded schools to support communities across NSW. This is the largest investment in public education infrastructure in the history of NSW.

Read the 2021-22 Delivery Strategy (PDF 1MB)

Armidale Secondary College
Image: Armidale Secondary College