A request for urgent attention to the delivery of government schools in Rockbank will be sent to the state government from Melton council.
The notice of motion raised by councillor Phillip Zada at the July 28 council meeting called for council to advocate to the state government and Kororoit MP Luba Grigorovitch to expedite planning and delivery of three primary schools and one secondary school, as per the 2016 Rockbank Precinct Structure Plan.
The letter will also call for clarity on timelines and funding, and inclusion of these schools in the upcoming state budget.
Cr Zada said that The Victorian Planning Authority’s PSP outlines the sites for these schools, which are now surrounded by completed and ongoing residential development.
“There is a real and growing community need for the Victorian Government to accelerate investment in public education infrastructure in line with the precinct’s planned development,” Cr Zada said.
“This motion is a call for a long overdue action on public education infrastructure in Rockbank. Although three primary schools and one secondary schools were committed in the 2016 Rockbank PSP, none have been delivered nearly a decade later despite explosive population growth.
“This failure has intensified stress on nearby schools, compounding transport burdens and compromised access to local quality education … families in Rockbank deserve certainty … children should not be left waiting years for schools they were promised.”
Cr Kathy Majdlik said she feels for the community and that the infrastructure needs to be developed as soon as possible.
Cr Sophie Ramsey said that with the high birth rate in the municipality, “you don’t want portables upon portables to cater for that growth … you don’t want to take away sporting grounds”.
Kororoit MP Luba Grigorovitch said the state government monitors enrolments and population projections, alongside working with local authorities and organisations to ensure there are enough school places for the future.
Star Weekly understands that the government annually reviews the need for new schools using demographic modelling of residential growth, demographic change, and enrolment trends at schools across Victoria – along with consultation to ensure modelling is consistent and that identified sites are appropriate for school development.
