By Ruza Zivkusic
CAROLINE Springs residents have won a six-month battle with Delfin Lend Lease to have a second Catholic primary school built in the northern end of the town.
Almost two hectares of land have been granted by the developer to build the school at the North Lake Centre.
The move comes after community members voiced concerns when Delfin broke its promise of having three schools being built in the area, making the Catholic community miss out while the Independent Colleges Australia (ICA) were given the green light to build its first school.
Chairperson for Community Opposing Northern Neighbourhood Decision (CONNED), Pat Gurrie, said Delfin had “eventually heard” the community’s concerns.
“I don’t know how they found the extra two hectares (of land) but at the end of the day we are absolutely delighted,” Mr Gurrie said.
Catholic Education Acting Director Stephen Elder welcomed the move saying the area’s only Catholic school, Christ the Priest Primary School, would not be able to meet the increasing numbers of Catholics in the area if it was the sole Catholic education provider.
“This decision will be warmly received by the local community where Catholic schools are highly regarded,” Mr Elder said.
“It also demonstrates the veracity of Delfin’s claim to put education and therefore people first in their estates,” he added.
The new school that will be completed in 2009 will be under the Caroline Springs Parish.
Numerous meetings that were held between CONNED representatives and politicians saw the issue that concerned hundreds of local parents, resolved.
Melton Shire councillor Justin Mammarella, who was approached by angry residents and who tabled a motion during a council meeting in July asking councillors to oppose Delfin’s decision to sell land to ICA, said the community’s united approach helped resolve the issue.
“Delfin is a good developer and they do want to do the best for the community. I just had to remind them of that and their ethics,” Cr Mammarella said.
Delfin Lend Lease Project Director for Caroline Springs, Martin Gaedke acknowledged the initiative of the State Member for Kororoit, Andre Haermeyer, of bringing the parties to a solution.
Mr Gaedke said that the incorporation of a site for a Catholic school was possible due to a “collaborative approach between providers who have agreed to share open space”.
The northern neighbourhood centre will have three school sites, sport and recreation facilities, maternal and child health services and pre-school and children services, he said.
