Responding to a NSW Government announcement to target overcrowded schools and maintenance backlogs, Labor member of the legislative council Daniel Mookhey called for more detail into the coalition’s plan.

Mr Mookhey, who has been pushing for funding to clear a reported $28 million maintenance backlog in New England schools, believes a $5 billion investment in the problem would only fix half of the issues in the state’s school system.

Information provided to The Leader by Mr Mookhey’s office suggests Currabubula, Dungowan, Duri, Gunnedah South, Mullaley, Niangala, Nundle, Somerton, Timbumburi, Tintinhull, Westdale, Woolomin, Yarrowitch, Tamworth and Nemingha public schools are all classified as at ,or over, capacity.

Tamworth South, Oxley Vale and Peel High schools were reportedly at more than 90 per cent capacity. 

“Although it has taken six years to get to the point of any new spending in this area, it is most welcome,” Mr Mookhey said.

“However, anyone who thinks this is going to solve the problem state-wide is kidding themselves.

“What we don’t want to see is more bureaucracy – we need to see more action and fast.

“There are 16 schools in Tamworth that are at, or over, capacity with projections for that to get worse.

“It is urgent and absolutely necessary that we get a handle on this crisis maintenance backlog.” 

Tamworth MP Kevin Anderson welcomed the announcement of Education Infrastructure NSW.

“I absolutely welcome something that is looking at investing in our schools,” he said.

“We have done a significant amount of investment and we need to make sure we get our fair share of funding for the continued investment in our region.

“We are a growing region with more students coming through and we need to make sure our schools are capable of welcoming those students into our classrooms.”

Mr Anderson said more funding was on the way for schools in the electorate after maintenance work was carried out in identified schools over the Christmas holiday period.

Mr Anderson said he had not received any direct concerns from local schools or their principals about overcrowding in campuses in the Tamworth electorate.