Catholic schools around Ballarat are waiting to see whether the state government releases a $400 million capital works package for non-government schools, after announcing a construction blitz of more than a billion dollars for state schools earlier this week.
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Catholic Education Commission of Victoria executive director Jim Miles said the package for independent schools, which was allocated over four years at the 2018 election, should be brought forward to help boost economic recovery.
With almost 500 Catholic school across the state, educating more than 20 per cent of Victorian students, Mr Miles said it made sense that the Catholic sector contributed to the building blitz.
"The CECV has hundreds of school infrastructure projects planned over the next two to three years, including several new schools, across the dioceses of Melbourne, Ballarat, Sale and Sandhurst," he said.
A spokesperson for Catholic Education Ballarat said there were no firm plans for new schools in the Diocese of Ballarat.
"However we are investigating possibilities to respond to community needs in to the future," the spokesperson said.
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"A number of schools in the (Ballarat) diocese have applied for funding for various projects, so this expedited funding would be very welcome.
"We always encourage schools to have a masterplan or project ready to go so that unexpected funding opportunities such as this can be maximised when they arise."
Mr Miles said a school infrastructure construction blitz would benefit communities with improved school facilities, and help create local jobs.
'Importantly for all Victorians, our research indicates Catholic school enrolments could grow by up to a third if greater government capital support to construct the facilities needed to meet demand was available," he said.
"It is well-established that government investment in Catholic schools takes pressure off the state school system and saves taxpayers' money."
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