Work is set to begin on a new $5.4 million upgrade of Port Melbourne Primary School.

The upgrade includes a new multi-purpose gymnasium, with indoor basketball and netball courts, change rooms, toilets and canteen and an arts and music building offering a diverse range of arts and inclusive programs at the school. The local community will have access to the facilities.

Architect Williams Boag and builders SJ Higgins Pty Ltd will incorporate state-of-the-art facilities including acoustic wall lining and double-glazing of the event and performance spaces.

This school building boom has delivered more than 1,200 school upgrades and 56 new school projects across the state, supporting almost 5,000 construction jobs.

Education Minister James Merlino said: “The planned new sporting and arts and music facilities will provide a stimulating learning environment that will unlock the kind of critical and creative thinking our young people will need for the future.”