Shelby Brooks and Jamie Salter
Improving education, tourism and transport are the main focus areas for Cardinia in the Victorian Budget 2022-23, with two new schools on the way as well as an upgrade to Pakenham’s Ryan Road and the Emerald Tourist Railway.
Land will be acquired for a new primary school in Pakenham’s north west, part of an investment of $236.7 million for 15 new school sites across the state, while Officer Brunt Road Primary School (interim name) is one of 13 schools being built to open by 2024.
When complete, Officer Brunt Road Primary School will welcome 650 students to support the growing South East.
Eastern Victoria MP Harriet Shing said the new primary schools would ensure Pakenham and Officer students have access to a great education close to home.
“You can’t get a first-rate education in a second-rate classroom – this new school will be critical for young families in Pakenham who are embarking on their educational journey,“ she said.
Three existing schools within the shire will also see improvements.
Pakenham Lakeside Primary School will undergo a $856,500 upgrade to improve drainage across the eastern end of the school site, including replacing storm water pipes and pits.
Ms Shing said the acquired land will need to be the right size and in the right location to meet the needs of the community.
“We also need to plan for future growth and enrolment, so getting it right from the start is a big part of what we’ll be doing in the coming months and working alongside the council and the community,“ she said.
Kooweerup Secondary College will have its student toilets upgraded at a cost of $498,900.
The student toilets on the top floor of Block A and adjacent to the gym will be renovated to improve amenity, cleanliness and hygiene.
Officer Specialist School will receive $3.72 million to deliver upgrade works.
“There’s a limited amount of land and we’re getting as much value for money as we can,“ Ms Shing said.
“They’ve got about 300 students there but they will just continue to grow in the same way every other part of this area is growing.
“It’s about making sure we’re taking care of everyone in the community the budget is all about special development education to make sure every single specialist school across the state have now received a rebuild or an upgrade.“
Bass MP Jordan Crugnale said she would always advocate for education in her electorate.
“I am incredibly pleased we have announced $856,500 for Pakenham Lakeside Primary School for drainage works and Kooweerup Secondary receives $498,900 to upgrade their amenities,” she said.
A Pakenham road and Emerald tourism attraction are the other winners in the state budget for the Cardinia Shire.
An allocation of $7.70 million will be spent to seal Ryan Road in Pakenham to support access to the new Pakenham East station without the need to detour through local streets.
An estimated investment of $8.3 million is being allocated to support the operation of the Emerald Tourist Railway, including the implementation of the Puffing Billy Master Plan.
However, the state budget did not include an upgrade of Beaconsfield Railway Station, leaving Beaconsfield commuters “out in the cold”, according to Liberal Gembrook MP Brad Battin.
Mr Battin said it has been four years since Liberal’s election commitment in 2018, which has not been matched by Labor.
“If a Labor Member of Parliament actually lived in Casey or Cardinia, they would understand why we need urgent upgrades like the Beaconsfield Railway Station,” he said.
Labor Eastern Victoria MP Harriet Shing was quick to shutdown Mr Battin’s criticism.
“There’s $24.6M on the Pakenham and Cranbourne lines for accessibility upgrades at 14 stations including Beaconsfield,“ she said.
“It shows that he can’t read a budget.“
“Separately we’re removing Station Street and Brunt Road level crossing at Beaconsfield which will include accessibility upgrades to make it easier for people with disabilities or people with limited mobility to get to where they need to go. Site investigations will kick off in the coming months and construction will be done by 2025.“
