School site revealed

Alex de Vos
State Government has earmarked a site in Torquay’s north for new secondary and primary schools, Surf Coast Shire has revealed.
Labor Member for South Barwon Michael Crutchfield said the Government had “identified” a site within the shire’s Torquay north precinct behind a proposed community and civic centre.
The 5.4-hectare site fronts Fisher Street adjacent to The Quay residential development.
Principals from Torquay P-9 College and St Therese called for the new schools in the Independent two years ago to accommodate the growing population.
Council revealed the location of the new schools in a master plan for shire’s community and civic precinct, to house council offices and other facilities costing $40 million.
The schools would border a proposed recreation precinct and an affordable housing development.
The shire labelled the area a “future education precinct”.
The site would be home to a Torquay North Primary School.
Mr Crutchfield said he had been working closely with council to provide education opportunities for the shire’s “booming population”.
“The Department of Education will ensure government schools continue to meet the needs of families,” Mr Crutchfield said.
“The matter is still at the planning stage and I am confident of a successful outcome in the coming months.”
Last year Torquay Primary School opened it’s doors to year seven, eight and nine students to accommodate growing enrolments.
But Liberal Member for Western Victoria Region David Koch said the school would “out grow enrolments”.
He called on State Government to provide a full secondary school in Torquay when he raised the issue in the government’s Upper House last week.
“So high is the demand for education in the town that the local P-9 College has had to restrict enrolments to children living within the town’s boundary,” Mr Koch said.
“This means a full secondary college will be required to accommodate the districts education needs.”