By Priscilla Moca
The long-awaited Taylors Hill West senior school may be a step closer after Labor pledged to fund the land purchase for the site if it wins this month’s state election.
The Napthine government went into caretaker mode last week and, with only three weeks to go until the November 29 poll, Brimbank has become a politicians’ battleground of promises.
Labor leader Dan Andrews unveiled an $87 million plan to fund land purchases and build 11 new schools, including a senior school at Taylors Hill.
The funding announcement was later revised, with a Labor spokesman saying the money would be for land acquisitions and preliminary works, and more would be allocated to build the schools.
Caroline Springs mother Sally Cefai said the pledge was exciting and, if realised, would relieve pressure on parents and children.
“At least the kids can concentrate on their early school years without having to think about where they’ll be going later,” Mrs Cefai said.
“It’s not a want or an ‘if’ – there’s a real need there.”
Lakeview Senior College in Caroline Springs, which caters for years 10 to 12, is bursting at the seams, with students from three prep to year 9 schools – Springside, Creekside and Brookside – vying for places each year.
The closest options for unsuccessful students are Taylors Lakes Secondary College or Copperfield College.
Mrs Cefai, one of several parents campaigning for a new senior school, submitted a 2000-signature petition to Keilor Labor MP Natalie Hutchins in September. While a site has not been officially selected, several ‘possibles’ have been identified. Vacant land on a single site adjoining Gourlay and City Vista roads in Plumpton was touted by Ms Hutchins as the “most logical and convenient” choice.
“There are other sizable pieces of land still available along the Melton Highway heading further west,” she said. “But there’s potential at the Plumpton roads site for both a primary and secondary school to be built.”
Another site off Taylors Road in Plumpton and another on Beattys Road near Melton are also being considered.
“The need is pretty immediate, and it’ll be a priority within the first six months,” Ms Hutchins said.
However, Liberal treasurer Michael O’Brien slammed the school funding announcement as “grossly underfunded” and a “cruel hoax” on families. “Daniel Andrews has promised
$50.5 million to build eight new schools in growth areas, including the purchase of land and construction from the ground up,” Mr O’Brien said. “What does Labor think they will be able to deliver by allocating only $6 million for each school?”
He said it was estimated the cost to plan, design and construct eight new schools would be about $136 million.
Mr Andrews has also promised to remove the Melton Highway level crossing in Sydenham if elected.
