By CASEY NEILL
KEYSBOROUGH residents are calling for new primary and secondary schools to meet the suburb’s growing population.
Councillor Matthew Kirwan told Monday night’s City of Greater Dandenong council meeting that residents had urged him to advocate for more education facilities, and warned that the issue could force families to leave the area.
Cr Kirwan said a shortfall in school places stretched to Dingley and suggested a joint lobbying approach with Kingston City Council.
Community services director Mark Doubleday said the council had entered informal discussions with its neighbour and could extend these.
“But this is a State Government responsibility,” he said.
Mr Doubleday said he’d brief councillors on the matter and all options.
Cr Peter Brown said he taught at Cooomoora Secondary College in Keysborough, which the State Government closed when enrolments dropped.
He said many Anglo Saxon parents thought there were “too many Asian students at the school” so sent their kids elsewhere.
“If they had chosen differently they wouldn’t be facing the problems they’re facing now,” he said.
An Education Department spokesman said the department was aware of the increased population projections in the Keysborough area and had identified the need to plan for a site in this area.
“In the short to medium term the increase in population can be accommodated at the existing schools,” he said.
“Funding for capital works projects is determined during the State Budget process.”
