Hobsons Bay Residents Association has questioned whether the council plans to buy the former Laverton Primary School site with $2.3 million allocated in next year’s budget for a “confidential acquisition” in Wetlands ward.
HBRA co-convener Cameron McCurley said the council should consult the community about what it planned to do with such a large sum of ratepayers’ money. A council acquisition of the site could stop developers moving in.
Mr McCurley, a former public housing buyer for the Department of Human Services (DHS), questioned why the council wouldn’t consider buying a former school site in Altona, which residents fear could be used for medium-density or social housing.
“We asked the question, if you’re going to think about Laverton then why not think about Altona?”
He said residents were most concerned about a cluster of social housing on the site. He said cluster housing could lead to all sorts of problems.
“When we were spot-purchasing, there were never two DHS properties side by side.
‘‘If council has allocated some funds in the budget that’s going to be passed without any consultation, well that’s simply not on. At least let the community know before you lock the ratepayers in to something.’’
Education Department spokesman Simon Craig said the former Altona Gate, Altona West, Eastona Park and Laverton primary schools were surplus to the department’s needs.
He said the department had had discussions with the council about the vacant school sites, “as per government policy”. Late last year, Planning Minister Matthew Guy established an advisory committee to decide the future of the sites. They are likely to be rezoned for residential development against the council’s wishes.
Hobsons Bay mayor Sandra Wilson said the council would not comment on proposed commercial acquisitions.
“If the timing, price and conditions are right, any council that has a vision to the future would put its foot on new assets or parcels of land that may deliver on a community need.”
