Hobsons Bay Residents Association (HBRA) has criticised the impending sale of the former Altona West Primary School site, citing the area’s urgent need for a public school that caters for years 10-12.
Meanwhile, Hobsons Bay council wants to retain the former Eastona Primary School in Altona North, where the population is expected to jump 53 per cent by 2031.
The council last week rejected an offer from the Finance and Treasury Department to buy both former school sites, which have been deemed surplus to the Education Department’s needs.
The council also voted not to buy the former Altona Gate Primary School site in Altona North.
HBRA co-convenor Tony Briffa said Altona did not have a state school catering for years 10-12.
“The state government, and indeed the council for supporting the sale, is not thinking about the future needs of the Altona, Seaholme and Altona Meadows community in selling the former Altona West Primary School site.
“In fact, we don’t have a public high school providing years 10, 11 and 12 in all of Altona, Seaholme and Altona Meadows.
“Retaining the former site of the Altona West Primary School means the Altona College has room for expansion,” Briffa said.
Altona P-9 College principal Julie Kraus declined to comment.
Councillors said they would continue to advocate for the former Eastona Primary School in Collins Avenue, Altona North, to be retained for use as a school.
A council officer’s report stated that recent discussions with the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development indicated the classification of this site as surplus to requirements was “under ministerial review and may be retained”.
Cr Peter Hemphill criticised the state government for not planning for population growth in Altona North.
According to forecasts by .id, the population experts, Altona North’s population is expected to increase from 12,249 to 18,771 by 2031.
Forecasters from .id worked with council planners to predict likely development activity in Altona North.
They predicted 1500 dwellings would be developed on the former Don Smallgoods site between 2016 and 2031, and 300 dwellings on the Eastona Park school site between 2015 and 2025.
Earlier this year, the council bought the former Laverton Primary School site for $2.6 million, excluding GST.
This site will be used for parkland and, most likely, social housing.
