Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Member for Brand Gary Gray today officially opened new facilities worth more than $2.5 million at Perth's Bertram Primary School, funded through the Commonwealth Government's Building the Education Revolution.
The five-classroom early childhood block and enclosed covered assembly area were funded under the Primary Schools for the 21st Century and National School Pride elements of BER.
These are essential facilities for a fast growing suburban school whose enrolments have more than doubled since it opened in 2007.
The classrooms are providing new learning environments for children from pre-primary to Year 3, as well as a much needed work room for teachers.
Enclosing the existing undercover area is allowing the school to use the space for a broader variety of activities.
Bertram Primary received $2.5 million under the Primary Schools for the 21st Century (P21) element of BER for the new classrooms and enclosing the undercover area, plus $150,000 under the National School Pride (NSP) program for refurbishments including painting and paving.
BER is a key element of the Government's $42 billion Nation Building - Economic Stimulus Plan to support jobs, stimulate local economies and invest in important infrastructure for the long term.
The $1.28 billion NSP program is providingfunding to more than 9,400 eligible schools in every state and territory for minor infrastructure and refurbishment.
The $14.1 billion P21 has delivered funding to over 7,900 eligible primary schools across Australia for major new infrastructure.
In Western Australia, 97 per cent of BER projects worth a total of more than $1.8 billion are now complete. The program has funded almost 3,000 projects across the state.
Facilities like these at Bertram not only benefit the school - they support stronger social networks and community cohesion.
This project has also supported the employment of local workers, the essence of the Economic Stimulus Plan.
Further information about this project and all schools funded under the BER is available at www.buildingtheeducationrevolution.gov.auor at: www.economicstimulusplan.gov.au.