Bilambil Public School, Condong Public School, Duranbah Public School, Fingal Head Public School and Tweed Heads Public School have all come out green winners in the first round of the Nationals in NSW Government’s $158 million LED lighting initiative, Tweed Nationals MP Geoff Provest has announced.

“This is part of a record investment in Tweed education by the Nationals in NSW Government, which also includes $120 million in upgrades to four state schools in Kingscliff and Tweed Heads, a $17 million vocational education hub at Tweed River High School as well as the Tweed Valley Skills Centre being delivered with the new Tweed Valley Hospital,” Mr Provest said.

“The environmentally friendly LED lights we are installing at the first five schools use 85 per cent less electricity and are better to study under so they are going to leave the kids at neighbouring schools green with envy,” Mr Provest said.

“However they shouldn’t have to wait too long: this is just the first instalment of the NSW Government’s $450 million school-based COVID-19 Recovery plan which includes LED lighting for 1000 schools.”

“This is also an example of the Nationals in Government using technology, not taxes to fight climate change.”

“It means more much needed work for local contractors and sets an example for the community.”

Mr Provest said that as part of its energy affordability package, the NSW government was also offering an LED lighting upgrade for eligible households.

“Currently, if you have halogen downlights in your home, you may be able to have the cost of replacement LED bulbs and their installation, subsidised,” Mr Provest said.

“I would encourage people to check out energy efficient lighting discounts at service.nsw.gov.au or contact their local Service NSW centre for this and other win-win Nationals in Government initiatives that are good for the environment and good for your wallet,” he concluded.

The NSW Government is investing $7 billion in education over the next four years, continuing its program to deliver more than 200 new and upgraded schools to support communities across NSW. This is the largest investment in public education infrastructure in the history of NSW.