VICTORIAN Premier Denis Napthine is returning to Wodonga this month to open the $12 million replacement Belvoir Special School in Gayview Drive.
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Dr Napthine was due to visit the Benambra electorate in mid-June, but had to cancel at the last minute due to the death of his mother, Theresa.
The Belvoir Special School opening wasn’t part of the Premier’s original visit itinerary as students hadn’t moved in.
But Dr Napthine inspected construction of the replacement school on his first visit to Wodonga since becoming Premier last May.
It followed a second $6 million funding contribution confirmed in the 2012 state budget.
Member for Benambra Bill Tilley confirmed last night Dr Napthine’s visit would take place early in the final week of August and could be the last time he is in the local area before the November state election.
The Premier will also be guest speaker at a business luncheon in Wodonga aimed at building funds for the state election and also the fight to reclaim the federal seat of Indi from independent Cathy McGowan.
Planning Minister Matthew Guy also visited Wodonga recently.
Mr Tilley’s only opp-osition in the seat of Benambra to date is Labor candidate Jennifer Podesta, who ran as an indepdendent in Indi in the federal election nearly 12 months ago.
Mr Tilley has held the seat since 2006.
Belvoir Special School students moved into their new buildings at the beginning of term three.
The Bowman Court site will become home for Wod- onga’s Flexible Learning Centre, which is due to open by the end of the month.
Mr Tilley said the Premier’s entire schedule for his Wodonga visit was still being finalised.