Push for estate primary school

RESIDENTS in Pakenham’s Heritage Springs are stepping up their push for a new primary school to be built at the estate.
Claiming the town desperately needs more statefunded schools, residents are preparing to lobby for action.
Pakenham’s secondary college and three primary schools have all experienced fastrising enrolments in recent years as the town continues to expand at a rapid rate.
With the local population forecast to rise to almost 50,000 in the next five years, residents in Pakenham’s newer subdivisions say the State Government has a responsibility to provide education facilities that meet the needs of one of Melbourne’s major designated growth areas.
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 the area that could use a new school.
Mr Hodge said there was a critical need for education facilities to service the families at Heritage Springs, Blue Horizons and Henty Park estates.
His comments were supported by local parents who said the situation was a ‘joke’.
Residents are organising a public meeting for Monday, 12 September at Lilypond House in Duncan Drive, Pakenham, to further their bid for a school.
It is believed residents will seek to enlist the support of local MPs. The meeting is scheduled to start at 8pm.
Phone 5941 6166 for more details.