Max Hatzoglou
A letter sent to residents in Sunshine West last week informed them that the Sunshine College – Ardeer Campus would be demolished later this year.
Community members have expressed their frustrations about the decision as they seek more details and information about the future plans of the site.
Many, particularly those who attended the school in the past, want some of the building to be restored to honour the history of the school and the memories it gave them.
The letter informed residents works would begin in mid-April this year, including demolition, asbestos removal, fencing and landscaping with all works set to be complete by June 30.
An education department spokesman said the site will be retained for education purposes in future.
“Sunshine College has undergone a major capital works upgrade, with the Sunshine College West campus being completely rebuilt and a new STEM facility built at the North campus,” the spokesman said.
“This project consolidated the school onto two campuses.
“As a result, the former senior campus and former Ardeer campus of Sunshine College were vacated during 2020.
“These two sites are being retained for future education provision given the future development expected in and around the Sunshine Priority Precinct.”
A lack of detail for future plans of the site has left the community in the unknown however.
President of the Albion & Ardeer Community Club Neil Head said he was happy with the decision to retain the site for education purposes although feared about the lack of future planning.
“The community welcomes, what seems to be a commitment to use the land for Education purposes, but is wary of the intention to demolish all the buildings in the interim, without any reference to a future masterplan for the site,” Mr Head said.
“In addition, it will be important for a Site Analysis to be developed prior to any works, to ensure that any key features such as trees and site landscaping, internal roads and carparks, and on-site sports development areas are conserved for potential re-use.
The local community group is calling for a plan.
“We think it would be wise for the Government, the Council and the community to establish a Joint Reference Group, to review the development intentions, on a step-by-step basis.”
