Progress for Grammar’s planned Corio shift

GEELONG Grammar School has submitted its plans to build an early learning centre and primary school at the site of its Corio secondary school campus.

GGS is planning to move out of its present home of Bostock House in Newtown to co-locate its full cohort at Corio.

It is now seeking approval to build infrastructure for the new facilities so it can finalise the switch.

The proposed construction would involve capping a former landfill site used by the school to dispose construction materials from the 1960s until the late-1980s.

Planning reports indicate that tests have not found any contamination relating to former use of the land, which is considered “to be of very low hazard”.

GGS has a concurrent application with the state environment authorities to build on the land. Earlier advice received from the Environment Protection Authority indicated that any contamination found at the site would be responsibility of the land owner.

Capping the site intends to prevent water seeping into the waste area and provide protection for children and staff using the site once developed.

“The proposed construction of works to safely cap the former landfill has been prompted by the School’s proposal to establish its early learning centre and additional primary school facilities at the Corio campus thus allowing for a legacy issue to be addressed and safely resolved,” planning documents stated.

“The former landfill has been the subject of detailed investigations, was found to not be contaminated in terms of presenting a risk to the environment by way of leachate into groundwater or landfill gas production.”

GGS launched plans for its expansion early last year, when it said the new facilities would provide younger students with greater opportunities for nature-based learning.

“Our new primary school will realise the school’s vision of a learning experience that embodies the strategic pillars of Adventure Education, Positive Education and Creative Education, with a particular emphasis on nature and inquiry-based learning that leverages our Timbertop experience and enlivens Adventure Education for all students at Corio,” school council chair Paddy Handbury said.