One of the big-ticket items in last week’s state budget for Brimbank residents is $23 million for the purchase of land needed to complete Taylors Hill West Secondary College ahead of time.
A line item in the 2017-18 state budget revealed $23.3 million would be allocated for the purchase of the southern half of a 2.19-hectare site in City Vista Court, Plumpton.
A sports hall, performing arts centre, basketball courts, administration building and a carpark will be built on the land. The state government is negotiating with a single land owner over its purchase.
The previous state budget included $12 million to build the first stage of the school following a long-running campaign, led by parents, for a secondary school in the Caroline Springs area.
Sydenham MP Natalie Hutchins said she anticipated the 2017-18 budget windfall would fast-track the project.
“Out of last year’s budget, we got the purchase of the land and a commitment to build half the school by the start of the school year [2018],” she said.
“Out of this budget, we’ve secured $23 million, which will buy the other half of the land and finish the build for 2020, which is a fantastic outcome,” Ms Hutchins said.
Once complete, the school will accommodate up to 1100 students in years 7 to 12. Its state-of-the-art science, technology, engineering, arts and maths building is under construction.
The state budget, handed down last Tuesday, also delivered for Brimbank motorists who travel on the M80 Ring Road. The major arterial, between Laverton and Greensborough, will be widened from end to end by 2021 at a cost of $673 million. The federal government will cover half of the cost.
Two Brimbank schools received funding for upgrades and “modernisation” work.
Keilor Heights Primary School will get $522,000 and Victoria University Secondary College will receive an as yet unknown amount of funding for planning work for new buildings.
Brimbank State Emergency Service’s plea for another unit in the area has also been answered.
The budget contained $26.9 million for six new SES bases in growth suburbs, including one in Caroline Springs.
■ Tim Pallas defends his hits and misses, page 20-21.
