MAINTENANCE COSTS ON EMPTY SITES REACH HALF A MILLION

15th October 2009

Liberal State MP for Ferntree Gully Nick Wakeling today said he was shocked at the amount of wasted money being poured into two empty school sites in Ferntree Gully.

"For many years, I have been questioning the Government on its future use of both school sites. These sites have sat idle behind cyclone fences, and we now find out that we've paid $500,000 for the pleasure," Mr Wakeling said.

Mr Wakeling, who asked the Minister for Education a series of questions in May 2009, said he was appalled at how much money had been wasted on these empty sites.

"The maintenance and upkeep costs on the buildings and grounds are astronomical. Taxpayers have been forking out hundreds of thousands of dollars and have received absolutely nothing in return.

"For years the Government has refused to give any indication as to what the sites will be used for. They have refused access to the buildings.

"The community has now learnt of the Brumby Government's secret plans to create social housing on the Primary School site, while the fate of the former Secondary College site is still up in the air. The local community has not been consulted about the use of these sites - yet they have had to pay a significant cost for keeping these facilities behind cyclone fences.

"It is yet another example of the Brumby Government's arrogance as it continues to waste taxpayers' money and refuses to consult local communities" Mr Wakeling said.

"This money would have certainly helped local school communities crying out for maintenance repairs, upgraded carpets, computers or electronic whiteboards.

The questions on notice and responses are attached.

/ends

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