The ACT Government will be the first education authority in Australia to complete construction projects in the Gillard Government’s record investment in schools.

Jobs Minister Chris Evans today opened the ACT’s first 6-star Green rated school facility at the Gold Creek Primary School and one of the last in the ACT Government’s roll out of new projects to modernise primary and high schools across the Territory.

“Thousands of students, teachers and members of the community are now enjoying new facilities at every primary school in the ACT thanks to Australian Government funding,” Senator Evans said.

“The Gold Creek facility is not only new, it is among only a handful of school buildings in Australia registered for a 6-star Green rating.

“The school’s photovoltaic panels can produce more electricity than the buildings require, with the excess returned to the power grid and students able to monitor energy use through the LCD screens of the computerised building management system.”

Senator Evans said the Gillard Government is delivering the biggest school building and modernisation program in Australia’s history and the facilities have created better learning environments for the students, teachers and the local communities they serve.

“I want to congratulate the ACT Government which will shortly be the first education authority to complete its building program,” he said.

“This program has successfully delivered a record 152 projects in 83 public primary and secondary schools through the $150.6 million investment by the Gillard Government.

“This Government is determined to make sure that students learn in the best educational facilities possible, no matter where they live, and this investment will ensure ACT students get a world-class education and the right skills they need to win the job they deserve in the future.”

Minister Evans was joined at the opening ceremony by ACT Education and Training Minister Andrew Barr MLA and the Federal Member for Fraser Dr Andrew Leigh.

Mr Barr congratulated the school’s principal Ms Sue Jose, the school staff and the building industry for working together to deliver Gold Creek School’s $3.6 million new environmental centre, library refurbishment and new shade structure.

“I am very pleased to see the delivery of higher quality education facilities for Canberra Students,” Mr Barr said. “At the same time these project have supported the employment and training of so many local workers in the ACT – with the Gold Creek project alone supported 176 jobs.

“It is tremendous to be here today to celebrate the opening of this environmentally friendly facility and to witness first-hand the impact this has had on Gold Creek School and the local community.

“I congratulate all of those involved in delivering new, modern facilities across the Territory - the principal, school staff and tradespeople who have worked together to build these projects.

“Together they have delivered 21st Century facilities for our local schools that our students, hard-working staff and communities so richly deserve.”

The projects were delivered through the Building the Education Revolution program which was is a key element of the Australian Government’s $42 billion Nation Building initiative that supported jobs, stimulated local economies and invested in important infrastructure.

Further information about this project and all schools funded under the BER is available at www.buildingtheeducationrevolution.gov.auor at www.economicstimulusplan.gov.au