By CAM LUCADOU-WELLS
GREATER Dandenong council will investigate spending up to $6 million on buying land for a possible future state primary school in Keysborough South.
A majority of councillors backed a motion by councillor Peter Brown for an urgent report on suitable nearby land to satisfy the suburb’s “obvious need” for a government primary school of 500 students.
The burgeoning suburb, which is fast filling with several thousand homes, is served by three private schools but has no secular, state-run primary or secondary facilities.
Residents posting on the council’s ‘Our Say’ Keysborough South online survey have stated that the nearest state schools in Dingley and Keysborough are rapidly filling.
Last week one wrote: “There are no local schools within walking distance near the Somerfield estate that cater to non-Christian/Catholic families.
“It’s quite difficult finding a local school within walking distance in this area.”
Cr Brown said it was timely for the council to show “planning leadership”, buying the land using “the most part” of its $6 million open-space reserve fund.
“It’s obvious the availability of land is severely diminished.
“If we don’t exercise this visionary leadership the State Government may not have the land to acquire (for a school).”
Successive state governments have resisted the council’s pleas to build a primary school in the suburb – which is also isolated from public-transport links.
Under Cr Brown’s plan, the council land would be on-sold to the State Government – when and if it decided to build a primary school – at cost price plus an “opportunity cost” measured in interest terms as well as purchase and on-sale expenses.
If the land wasn’t sought for a school, it could be retained for open space or sold off, Cr Brown said.
“We can provide leadership for the State Government and provide some sort of security to the residents in the area.”
In backing the move, Cr Memeti said the land could be also potentially be used for sorely-needed sports grounds.
Cr John Kelly, in opposing the “noble idea”, said it was the State Government’s responsibility to buy the land.
He said the money was better used on the Springvale civic precinct project or retained for when the council adapts to lower revenues due to rate-capping next year.
“For council to spend $6 million, I’d be really disappointed.
“We’re not in the education business. We should pursue through our local (MPs) to get onto the education department.”
An education department spokesman said there was currently “capacity” in the Keysborough network to “accommodate short-term growth forecasts”.
“The department will continue to work with the City of Greater Dandenong and other relevant stakeholders to monitor and plan for government school provision in the area to ensure families have access to high-quality education as the population continues to grow.”
