School site in ‘talks’

ERIN PEARSON
State Government has begun negotiations on “the preferred site” for a stand-alone secondary school at Torquay, according to the Education Department.
The department did not reveal the location but South Barwon MP told the Independent the Government was investigating a 5.4-hectare site in Torquay’s north.
The land borders the rear of Surf Coast Shire’s new civic precinct and fronts Fisher Street adjacent to The Quay residential estate.
“Negotiations are well underway to secure the preferred site for the new secondary school,” the Education Department said.
“The department has been working with Surf Coast’s council and (Department of Planning and Community Development) to identify any other suitable land parcels as an alternative if necessary.”
The Independent revealed in 2009 that the former state Labor Government had earmarked the Fisher Street land for a new secondary school.
Mr Katos said he expected to announce the final site by Easter.
“We’re in negotiations with possible sites and (the negotiations) are fluid, so I’m very confident we’ll have this sorted out in the short-term,” he said.
“We’re coming up to the 90-day mark in government, so I’m well-aware of the urgency of the issue. Our policy commitment was to build a secondary college and that’s what we’re looking to fulfill.”
Mr Katos blamed the former Bracks and Brumby governments for leaving the new State Government with an overcrowded primary school in Torquay.
The Baillieu Government would build the new secondary college before deciding how to address the primary school issue, he said.
“I’ve got four children myself, so I understand that parents want to know what’s happening but any notion we’re taking too long is incorrect.
“The previous government had 11 years to get this right and to look at Torquay’s schooling needs but they neglected it. They sat on their hands, particularly over the last eight years with high growth in the Surf Coast and weren’t even going to build a secondary college.”
Principals from Torquay P-9 College and St Therese called for the new schools in the Independent four years ago to accommodate population growth.