By ANEEKA SIMONIS
THE foundations were last week laid for a new school and childcare centre in Cardinia Shire’s top booming regions, Pakenham and Officer.
The number of young people expected to call the outer south-eastern municipality home in the next few years is surging, with the number of child residents aged 0 – 9 expected to near double in the next decade.
As a result, new schools and childcare service providers are in great demand in the region.
Pakenham South West Primary School, located on Caversham Drive, will take in students at the beginning of next year.
Early projections estimate enrolments could accommodate up to 750 primary school-aged students.
Down the road in Officer, younger children and families will soon be able to access the services provided by Arena Child and Family Centre.
It also expects to be open from January next year.
Construction was officially launched at both education facilities last week, attended by Cardinia Shire Mayor Jodie Owen and Eastern Victoria MP Daniel Mulino, representing the Minister for Children and Families.
The Pakenham school is one of four anticipated to open in the city’s south-eastern growth corridor in 2017.
The others include Casey Central East Primary School, Cranbourne South West Primary School and Clyde’s Heather Grove Primary School.
But even the new schools and upgrades to existing facilities may not be enough to keep up with the growing demand for schools in Cardinia.
Localised statistics predict that Cardinia Shire will have more than 30,200 residents aged five to 19 within 10 years.
Grattan Institute research recommends that 220 schools would be needed in Victoria to keep up with demand.
A spokesperson for Education Minister James Merlino last month confirmed plans for 27 new schools across the state.
