Hobsons Bay council at a meeting on Tuesday night accepted its officer’s recommendation to reject an invitation to buy three former school sites.
An officer’s report recommended that the council reject an offer from the state government to buy the former Altona Gate, Altona West and Eastona Park primary schools, which have been deemed surplus to the Education Department’s needs.
“The sites are not considered to be required by council, as sufficient open space and community facilities exist within the surrounding areas,” the report states.
The council allocated $2.3 million in this year’s budget to buy the former Laverton Primary School site for parkland and, most likely, social housing. Total cost for the 1.4-hectare site, excluding GST, was $2.6 million.
It’s expected that the council will use 10,000 square metres for a neighbourhood park and public open space, leaving 4450 square metres likely to be used for “affordable housing”.
The council report states the former Eastona Primary School site, at 1-19 Collins Avenue, Altona North, should be retained for use as a school.
“Recent discussions with the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development indicate that the classification of the Eastona Primary School site as surplus to requirements is under ministerial review and may be retained,” it states.
“Council has strongly advocated for this outcome.”
As reported by Star Weekly, the Hobsons Bay Residents Association fears the Altona West site could be used for medium-density housing.
Bounded by Medford Street, Belmar Avenue and Grieve Parade, the site is about 19,000 square metres.
The Department of Finance and Treasury said it had offered the council the first opportunity to buy the school sites before listing them for public sale.
