By Benjamin Millar
An education hub promoting lifelong learning could be built in Footscray under a proposal floated by Labor ahead of November’s state election.
The $15 million plan for a preschool-to- postgraduate precinct would bring together a relocated Footscray City College with early childhood facilities, Footscray City Primary School and Victoria University.
Stakeholders will be brought together to examine the project’s feasibility, but the proposal has received early backing from parents and Victoria University.
Opposition leader Daniel Andrews said a landmark education precinct in Footscray would change the face of the west.
“This education precinct is a powerful concept and Labor’s plan will help make it happen,” he said.
“This plan will make Footscray the centre of learning, so anyone – no matter their age or background – can access quality education.”
VU vice-chancellor Professor Peter Dawkins said the university already had strong connections with Footscray City College and believed firmly in building links between early childhood, primary, secondary and tertiary education. “We think that such a development, if feasible, would fit very well with our commitment to give a tertiary education focus to the development of central Footscray through the Footscray University Town project, being undertaken with Maribyrnong City Council.”
Parents who have been pushing for a new high school in the Seddon, Kingsville, Yarraville area responded positively to the plan.
SKY High Working Group president Melissa Horne said it could create a great new school for local children while opening their eyes to a broad range of educational pathways.
“Without a doubt this is the best plan anyone has ever come up with for children living in our local area,” she said. “It’s great that we are being listened to and we welcome this plan for a significant investment in our local community and our local school kids.”
The 1200-member group is seeking a role in the planning and development process.
Education Minister Martin Dixon made no specific comment about the plan but said
Labor couldn’t be trusted, having left the government with a $420 million school maintenance backlog.
“Victorians will not be fooled. They want their government to get on with fixing problems, not making glib promises that are uncosted, unfunded and undeliverable.”
