Families short-changed in school zone shift
A sudden change to school zones has pushed thousands of families out of a sought-after inner Melbourne college and slashed property values.
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A sudden school zone switch has locked thousands of Port Melbourne families out of a sought-after college and shaved as much as $500,000 off property values.
Nearly 100 streets have been unexpectedly moved out of the prestigious Albert Park College school zone and into the enrolment area for the new Fisherman’s Bend Secondary College.
It’s among 22 new school zones being introduced statewide.
Albert Park College’s zone has for years reached as far as Williamstown and Normanby roads.
But the Education Department this week revealed it would stop at Bay St and City Rd from 2022 — cutting off big numbers of families who thought their kids would be able to attend the college.
A source within the school community told the Herald Sun the switch caught many parents off guard.
It’s understood Albert Park College wasn’t consulted about this specific part of the zone.
“How can we suddenly one day not be in the zone?’’ the source said.
“The area between Bay St and Williamstown Rd wasn’t to be touched and people have bought in the zone on the basis of that.”
A 2012 map published by Port Phillip Council which shows what the new zone was to be — stopping at Williamstown Rd, not Bay St.
Belle Property Albert Park director David Wood said the zone change was a blow to those who had their heart set on moving to a particular school and had planned accordingly.
Analysis from realestate.com.au shows property in the Albert Park College zone attracts a premium of up to $495,000 compared with surrounding areas.
The impact of Fishermen’s Bend Secondary College on property prices was yet to be determined.
It’s due to open in 2022 with capacity for 1100 students.
Albert Park College principal Steven Cook said the new school was a fantastic opportunity for the area.
“It will allow us to remain the size we are and not cope with continuous growth,” he said.
Some families have welcomed the chance to attend the soon-to-be-opened school, one mum saying its big parcel of land and highly-regarded foundation principal Anne Stout were drawcards.
“We are excited about it and looking to see how it goes,” she said.
The new zone does not affect students already attending Albert Park College.
The State Government has changed the school zones of 22 primary schools and high schools due to school upgrades and changing demographics.
Some of the state’s best-performing schools will have new zones, including McKinnon Secondary College, Melbourne Girls’ College and Princes Hill Secondary College.
The changes have a major impact on Southbank and South Melbourne residents, who are currently zoned for Collingwood College which is up to more than seven kms away.
The end of an arduous commute across the city tranversing both the freeway and the Yarra River will be welcome for some.
The Collingwood College zone now ends at the Yarra River near Flinders Street.
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