By Alesha Capone
MORE education funding is urgently needed in the West as part of the upcoming State Budget, according to the Opposition.
While visiting a school in Taylors Lakes recently, Opposition leader Daniel Andrews said the State Government needed “to provide a major funding boost for schools in Melbourne’s West in next month’s state budget.”
Keilor MP Natalie Hutchins said the quick population growth in the West meant schools needed more funding to ensure they could keep up with demand.
Ms Hutchins expressed concern land in Caroline Springs, which has been set aside for a primary and secondary school by the Growth Areas Authority and Melton Shire Council as part of the Taylors Hill West precinct plan, could become residential instead.
Ms Hutchins said developers have applied to the council to re-zone the land for residential purposes.
She said the previous government had intended for a primary school and secondary school, possibly called Taylors Hill West Secondary College, to be built on the land.
“The State Government decided there should be a primary school and secondary school in amongst 25,000 houses being built in that part of Melton,” Ms Hutchins said.
“There are surrounding state schools but closest at Keilor Downs is at capacity now, they can’t possibly squeeze another portable in.”
Ms Hutchins said she would advocate for the land to be kept for a possible secondary school, whether state or privately-run.
“It’s really about planning for the future and having more schools out West,” she said.
