The Member for Oxley, Melinda Pavey MP, welcomed the announcement.

“I’m very pleased that local schools will benefit from the Cooler Classrooms Fund,” she said. 

“This is part of the Government’s continued commitment to providing environments where our students and teachers can best succeed,” Mrs Pavey said.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Education Minister Rob Stokes said more than 900 schools would be the first to receive funding under the NSW Liberals & Nationals Government’s record $500 million program – the largest investment of its kind in NSW history.

“We’re thrilled to be delivering on our commitment to provide healthy learning environments in which our students and teachers can thrive, irrespective of the weather,” Ms Berejiklian said.

“Delivering air conditioning to more schools than ever before is only possible due to the strong economic management of the Liberals & Nationals.”

Schools in areas that have an average maximum January temperature of 30 degrees or more will now automatically receive air conditioning in their classrooms and libraries, while all other schools can apply for funding under the Cooler Classrooms Fund on a needs basis. Previously only schools with an average maximum January temperature of 33 degrees or more were air-conditioned.

The first round of applications took place throughout Term 3 this year. A second round will open in the New Year.

Mr Stokes said, unlike Labor’s plans, the NSW Liberals & Nationals’ Cooler Classrooms program was both economically and environmentally sustainable.

“We’re installing solar panels and ‘smart systems’ alongside the air conditioning units, so schools can offset their additional energy use and efficiently heat and cool their schools,” he said.

In addition to the hundreds of schools benefiting under the Cooler Classrooms program, air conditioning will be delivered in all new and upgraded schools under the Government’s record $6 billion school building program over the next four years.

“Every one of our 170 new and upgraded schools, including more than 2000 new classrooms, will also receive the new sustainable air conditioning systems,” Mr Stokes said.

Schools that will have their classrooms and libraries air conditioned under round one in include:

School principals are encouraged to apply to the second round of the Fund, which will open on day 1 of Term 1 next year. More information can be found at www.schoolinfrastructure.nsw.gov.au