In Tamworth on Tuesday, Assistant Education Minister Sarah Mitchell said budget funding would allow work to get underway at one of the city’s biggest schools.

Flanked by MP Kevin Anderson, Ms Mitchell said the government would work with the school to determine what projects were of priority but confirmed it would be a “multi-million” dollar development.

The work is an addition to a $5.4 million maintenance boost announced for Tamworth schools earlier in the month.

“It’s been great to look around with the principal and the school leaders here and to talk to them about the investment the government is going to make for an upgrade at Tamworth Public,” she said.

“There will be a multi-million dollar investment here at this school for an upgrade of the facilities.

“Certainly some of the early discussions are around replacing the demountable buildings and having more permanent classrooms and also catering for the expanding population growth.”

While Ms Mitchell conceded Tamworth was a growing community, she had not heard of a need for an additional school in the area.

“One of the things we’re conscious of is making sure we keep up with demand and with numbers, schools are continually assessed for when they need upgrades and where you need to cater for that growth in population,” she said.

She said the government would continue to fight for the original Gonski school funding agreement to be honoured despite new measures passed in the senate last week.

“We’re pleased the Federal Government is also recognising needs-based funding as a model, obviously we had a deal and we want the money we originally went in to bat for and we will continue to fight for that,” she said.

Tamworth MP Kevin Anderson said Tamworth Public School had “flown under the radar” and he was pleased funding was now available for new work.