Schools are GAIC free

PRIMARY and secondary schools in Melbourne’s growth areas will be exempt from paying Labor’s Growth Areas Infrastructure Contribution (GAIC).
The Planning and Environment Amendment (Schools) Bill 2011 was recently introduced to State Parliament. Parliamentary Secretary for Education MP Inga Peulich welcomed the amendment and said the intent of the Planning and Environment Amendment (Schools) Bill 2011 was to exempt schools from the charge where GAIC has not already been triggered.
Planning Minister Matthew Guy said as a result of the reform, a primary or secondary school provider would not have to pay the GAIC when it applies for a building permit for a school or subdivides land solely for the purpose of creating a lot for a school.
The Executive Director of Catholic Education Stephen Elder congratulated the Coalition Government on its decision to scrap the GAIC on schools.
“Catholic school communities in Melbourne’s growth corridors will welcome the decision to remove what has been an unnecessary impost on not-for-profit organisations such as Catholic schools,” Mr Elder said.
“It will allow us to put more dollars and more resources into Catholic schools, which will lead to improved learning opportunities for our school students.
“It will also mean Catholic schools won’t need to raise fees and place further pressure on parents who choose a Catholic education for their children.”