Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing MP has asked the Andrews Labor Government to address serious water quality and supply issues at Cobains Primary School and Ellinbank Primary School as a priority.

Ms Shing raised the matter in Parliament last night in a formal request to the Minister for Education, James Merlino.

In her request, Ms Shing noted that the water supply for Cobains Primary School currently relies on pipes laid across adjacent land and highlighted that it has been interrupted on a number of occasions.

At Ellinbank Primary School, Ms Shing also indicated that water is piped from Bear Creek through a neighbouring property – the pipe is old and frequently bursts, which has cost the school hundreds of dollars each time to repair.

Although the school has a tank that collects roof water, it is continually contaminated with bird faeces and is unfit for human consumption.

Ms Shing has sought urgent action from the Minister to provide safe and reliable water for these two schools.

Quotes attributable to Member for Eastern Victoria, Harriet Shing

“Both schools desperately need water tanks that provide a safe and reliable source of water.”

“Despite acknowledging these problems, the previous Coalition Government did nothing to improve the situation.”

“I’m keen to ensure that Gippsland’s students are provided with the same access to clean and reliable water supply as children anywhere else in Victoria, and I’m looking forward to these problems being fixed as a priority”.