Parents urge action on Armstrong Creek secondary school

PARENTS on the western side of Armstrong Creek are urging the Victorian government to fast-track the construction of a 7-12 secondary school as the area’s population growth exceeds expectations.

The government has allocated $1 million for a feasibility study, but parents are pushing for immediate action to purchase the proposed site and begin construction.

A recent ASR Research study indicated the population of Armstrong Creek West is projected to reach 23,500, which is 8,500 more than originally forecast.

Resident Sherryn Vessey said she met with South Barwon MP Darren Cheeseman mid-2022, highlighting student number pressures on Grovedale College, then at more than 900 students and servicing seven primary schools.

Both Oberon High or Surfcoast Secondary College, then with student numbers of more than 850 sand more than 935 respectively, were out of the Armstrong Creek West zoning, she said.

“These numbers clearly have only increased as time’s gone by.

“His [Mr Cheeseman’s] stance to the community, post the election, has been that he kept his election promise for the business case and ‘planning’ of the secondary school.

“But we now clearly need more than ‘planning’, we need action now.

“The government’s known this for at least two years but nothing’s happened.”

She said it was not a problem the government could ignore.

“With [Premier] Jacinta Allan’s recent announcement of an additional 400 homes being built in the catchment area, it’s going to be red-hot crisis in under two years’ time if Spring Street can’t get a move on, and fast.

“She stated there is a focus on supporting families – building the much-needed and overdue high school would do this!”