Mayor joins push for Mount Duneed secondary school

CITY of Greater Geelong mayor Stretch Kontelj has joined local calls for the Victorian government to build a new secondary school in Mount Duneed, as the growth area’s population continues to rise.

Ahead of the 2022 state poll, then-premier Daniel Andrews and then-Labour member for South Barwon Darren Cheeseman pledged $1 million toward a feasibility study for the project.

However, it is understood that as part of this work, the area’s existing schools have been deemed able to meet anticipated enrolments, and the state government presently has no plans to deliver a new school.

The planning work, a spokesperson for the Victorian government said, is still under way.

“We monitor enrolments and population projections, alongside our work with local authorities and organisations to make sure that we have enough schools in place for the future.”

But Cr Kontelj said families in Mount Duneed and Armstrong Creek had a right to be angry. He said it was a blow to those in the area who had made decisions to buy and build their homes based on the delivery of the secondary school.

“The Mount Duneed and Armstrong Creek communities seek quality state government education facilities close to home. Current school zoning misrepresents local access, due to the significant pedestrian barriers to existing state schools,” Cr Kontelj said.

“The walking time to Grovedale College is 46 minutes – despite it being located only 0.8km as the crow flies – due to the train line. Oberon High School is a one hour walk away and requires crossing a highway.”

Cr Kontelj said he had written personally to Minister for Education Ben Carroll on behalf of residents to seek an update on the school’s progress and to urge the Labor government to honour its promise. Mr Carroll did not reply.

“The city welcomes the planned opening of the new Horseshoe Bend Primary School, and the Warralily Park Primary School (and early years facilities) in 2026, with kindergarten and primary education infrastructure keeping pace with demand.

“Unfortunately, the provision of secondary school options in the west of this growth area has lagged, despite the funding for the feasibility study and available land.”

A site on the corner of Sovereign Drive and Boundary Road has been earmarked for a school since 2012, but remains empty more than 13 years later.

“The city calls on the minister and the Victorian government to take the next steps to [support] community liveability and our municipality’s housing targets, set by the government,” Cr Kontelj said.