Liam McNally
A critical piece of road infrastructure for Melton is edging closer, which will allow for a new school campus to open in the second half of the year and construction of Melton Hospital to commence in 2024
Melton council is extending Bridge Road from Ferris Road to Adelong Boulevard in Cobblebank. The stretch of road will provide access to the Melton Hospital, and the main entrance of St Francis Catholic College’s new Cobblebank campus.
In June last year Melton council began preliminary works to extend Bridge Road from Ferris Road to Adelong Boulevard, and expected construction to begin in January 2023, however it was delayed after the identification of a number of indigenous artefacts on the site required a revised Cultural Heritage Management Plan (CHMP).
The pause also slowed construction of St Francis’ Cobblebank Campus, which was originally due to open for the 2023 school year, as a temporary access road couldn’t be used while the revised CHMP was being undertaken.
The Cobblebank Campus enrolled 150 year seven students this year, who have been attending St Francis’ Melton campus until the new facility can open its doors.
St Francis Catholic College principal Marlene Jorgensen said in a letter to parents in term one that two buildings were finished and landscaping was almost complete “despite restricted access through January and February”.
“However, we have unfortunately not been able to progress the connection of drinking water and the construction of fire tanks on the site,” the letter said.
The CHMP for Bridge Road has now been approved, and council expects to commence construction of the road in June and complete the works within 12 months.
In a May 25 letter to parents Ms Jorgensen said “if all goes to plan, we will commence classes at Cobblebank at the start of Term three”.
“The fire services are on schedule to be completed in the coming weeks…The connection of water to the site will also commence next week,” she wrote.
“Our students continue to thrive in their temporary environment and eagerly take up opportunities to be part of the wider St Francis Catholic College community.”
