New school push gains momentum with meeting

By Paul Dunlop
PARENTS pushing for new schools in Pakenham are preparing to send a message to State Government highlighting what they claim is an urgent need.
Residents living in the town’s newer areas, including the Heritage Springs and Henty Park estates, are holding a public meeting on Monday to further their bid for extra education facilities.
A new primary school, preferably at the Heritage Springs estate, is top of the list of the residents’ priorities.
Heritage Springs residents’ committee member Barry Hodge said a recent survey showed there were at least 700 children of primary school age or younger living in or near the estate that could use a new school.
The meeting will be held at Lilypond House in Duncan Drive, Pakenham, starting at 8pm.
Residents are expected to try and enlist the support of local MPs and could also form a taskforce to lead lobby efforts.
Mr Hodge said meeting organisers had had an encouraging response from residents as word had spread about their bid.
Mr Hodge said next Monday night would be a starting point for a more formalised effort.
“We’ll be looking to develop a strategy, at what options are open to us and what we need to do to from here in terms of writing submissions and perhaps making a deputation to Education Minister Lynne Kosky,” he said.
“People we’ve been spoken to are certainly keen to see a new state school in town.
“More and more people are coming into the area, there is an acute shortage of education facilities.”
Parents say existing schools and their teaching staff are doing their best to provide students with the best in education but are already operating at full capacity.
Mother of five Pauline Lee said a new primary school could not come soon enough.
A new secondary college was also needed in Pakenham, she said.
There has not been a new governmentfunded education facility opened in the area for about a decade.
This is despite the number of residents in Pakenham and district almost doubling in that time.
Cardinia Shire manager of governance and communications Doug Evans said the council strongly supported moves to build new schools.
Pakenham’s newest school is the Lakeside Lutheran College, where building is under way in preparation for an opening early next year.
For more information about the residents’ meeting phone 5941 6166.