School campaign to continue

CALLS for a Keysborough South primary school went unheeded in last week’s State Budget, but a high-profile advocacy campaign is on the cards.
The absence of money for the in-demand facility was not unexpected but Keysborough South Action Group spokeswoman Nina Kelly had been holding out hope.
The suburb is fast filling with several thousand homes and is served only by three private schools.
“We were disappointed that the additional school was not in the budget and will meet with (Keysborough MP) Martin Pakula mid next month to see when it is expected,” Ms Kelly said.
He will then be presented with a petition of signatures from more than 600 desperate residents.
Ms Kelly said she’d make further comments after the Monday 11 May council meeting, which will hear a report about how the City of Greater Dandenong should assist residents.
On 3 April the council endorsed a notice of motion seeking an urgent report regarding the issue and whether it should buy land for a 500-student school.
The report back, which councillors will be asked to endorse on 11 May, recommended the council write to the state Education Minister seeking advice about the government’s strategy to address the education needs and advising him that suitably-sized land parcels were in short supply.
It also recommended that the mayor, senior council officers and a community advocate meet with the minister.
The report said the council should consider launching a high-profile advocacy campaign if it does not receive an adequate response.
Visit dandenong.starcommunity.com.au on Tuesday for a report on the motion.
– CASEY NEILL