Adaminaby’s public school residence is set for a major renovation thanks to funding from the NSW Government. Photo: NSW Department of Education.
Teachers in Adaminaby will find coming home a lot more pleasant thanks to a multi-million-dollar investment across NSW.
The time-weary NSW Department of Education residence, located adjacent to the school in the town of 310 people, is to undergo a full renovation which, when done, will guarantee its spot as the shiny new kid on Cosgrove Street.
And by renovation this, according to a department spokesperson, means internal and external painting, a new kitchen and bathroom, new floor coverings, ducted air conditioning and a bit of a spruce for the garden.
This thanks to a $23.5 million State Government initiative which reaches right across the state and into smaller rural communities with the goal of attracting more public school teachers to the bush.
Around 100 teacher houses in regional NSW will have new heating and cooling installed, worth almost $2 million, and $800,000 is being invested in increasing housing supply by taking out head leases, with the properties to be occupied by country teachers.
Funding is being funneled into teacher housing improvements to about 50 Teachers Housing Authority-managed properties in towns of a similar size to Adaminaby, including Stuart Town, Mumbil, Ellerston and Girilambone.
The garden surrounding the residence will also be spruced up as part of the overall renovation. Photo: NSW Department of Education.
While existing residences are being renovated, new housing is planned for some communities to improve the supply and quality of teacher housing.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole said providing housing is one of the most tangible ways to attract and retain workers in the regions.
“We know housing is one of the biggest factors in attracting workers and driving further growth in the regions,” Mr Toole said.
“It is vital that teachers who work in the regions, especially in our more remote and rural schools, have access to comfortable, modern housing close to their workplace.”
Minister for Education and Early Learning Sarah Mitchell said $8.4 million of the additional investment would be spent on new housing in towns including Bellata, Broken Hill, Coolah, Gilgandra and Ivanhoe.
“While we have generous financial incentives for teachers to go to a country school, many teachers considering a regional move have told us that housing is just as important a factor in their decision-making, if not more so,” Ms Mitchell said.
“Ensuring teachers have quality housing options available to them will attract and retain quality teachers to some of our more remote schools.”
Construction work on new housing has already started in the state’s north this term.
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