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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
“These numbers clearly have only increased as time’s gone by.<\/p>\n
“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.<\/p>\n
“But we now clearly need more than ‘planning’, we need action now.<\/p>\n
“The government’s known this for at least two years but nothing’s happened.”<\/p>\n
She said it was not a problem the government could ignore.<\/p>\n
“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.<\/p>\n
“She stated there is a focus on supporting families – building the much-needed and overdue high school would do this!”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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 […]<\/p>\n