A re-elected majority Gutwein Liberal Government will invest $20 million to ensure our Support Schools are modern learning facilities able to respond to the diverse and sometimes complex needs of students.

This will include $15.5 million to construct a brand-new purpose-built North West support school on a new site in Devonport, which will include a hydrotherapy pool.

The existing North West support school in Devonport is no longer fit for purpose and not large enough to meet the growing number of enrolments. In particular, its location on the side of a hill, presents considerable mobility challenges for many students.

The package also includes $4.5 million for upgrades to the North West Support School’s Burnie campus and the Southern Support School.

The upgrades at the North West Support School’s Burnie campus will provide additional space to meet the needs of their growing enrolments as well as a new hydrotherapy pool.

The additional funding for the Southern Support School will ensure that the site can accommodate the school’s growing population.

Support Schools cater for students with significant disability, offering comprehensive individual learning for students in a caring and respectful environment.

We are committed to investing in education infrastructure across Tasmania and have invested more in this area than any Government for more than 20 years.

In our 2020-21 State Budget we announced a record $7.5 billion investment in education. This included $204 million for education infrastructure and is on top of our 2018 election commitment of $179 million for capital works in our schools.

Our $20 million Support School package builds on the significant investment we have already made in supporting students with disability.

This includes the introduction last year of our nation leading needs based funding model for students with disability which has resulted in more than 2000 additional students receiving tailored support – this is nearly double the number of students under the previous system.

We have also recently announced a commitment to establish a Tasmanian Disability Services Commissioner and an additional $1.4 million to boost the Tasmanian Autism Diagnostic Service to meet increasing demand.

Only a re-elected majority Gutwein Liberal Government will ensure students with disability receive the support they need, and in the right learning environment.