General News
23 March, 2026
Halls Gap school set for major bushfire safety upgrades
HALLS Gap Primary School is set to receive significant bushfire safety upgrades as part of a Victorian Government maintenance funding boost for schools across the state. Over $400,000 has been allocated for a range of external works at the school.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Education Ben Carroll last week announced 55 schools would share in $35.077 million through the Planned Maintenance Program, with works to include practical improvements such as emergency shelter upgrades, window replacements, painting and floor resurfacing.
For Halls Gap Primary School, the $416,829 worth of funding will support a wide range of external works aimed at improving bushfire preparedness.
Co-Principal Samantha Stoffel said the school of 35 students, would use the substantial package of upgrades focused on strengthening the site ahead of future fire seasons. “It’s a significant amount for a small school,” Ms Stoffel said.
Works are expected to include new gutters and leaf guards, replacement of seals and meshes over doors and windows, removal of combustible materials, installation of non-corrosive materials, and upgrades to the school’s roof, skylights and windows with toughened glass.
“We would not be able to have the funds to do that ourselves without this grant.”
Ms Stoffel said the works would focus on the 10-metre zone surrounding the school buildings, with extensive external upgrades planned.
“The external upgrades are extensive.”
She said the school had been prioritised because of its location in a bushfire-prone area.
“We have been prioritised based on our location, which is really exciting for us. But it’s also something that we need,” she said.
The upgrades are expected to improve the school’s shelter-in-place capacity, giving staff, students and families greater confidence during the bushfire season.
“It gives us a bit more of a sense of security for our staff, for our students, for our families, knowing that we have a shelter-in-place building that is, as far as possible, fireproof or bushfire ready,” Ms Stoffel said.
She noted the school would still need to relocate on days of extreme fire danger but said the improvements would offer valuable added protection.
“We all choose to live in a bushfire-prone zone, so we are aware of our dangers, but it’s just that added sense of security.”
While a start date is yet to be confirmed, Ms Stoffel said the school was hopeful the works would be completed before next summer.
“We are very excited and we’re keen to have it start. It’ll be all in place for next bushfire season.”
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