Public high school high on Prahran electorate’s agenda

PRAHRAN looks set for a photo finish come the November 29 state election, with eight contenders fighting for the inner-city seat.

28/09/2011 NEWS: Generic image of teacher instructing students inside classroom.

PRAHRAN looks set for a photo finish come the November 29 state election, with eight contenders fighting for the inner-city seat.

Candidates were asked a series of questions without notice to gauge their opinions on a range of key issues shaping the poll.

And the need for public high school remained a top priority for all candidates.

Independent candidate Alan Menadue said the high school should have been built years ago.

“Why isn’t there one already? It’s not an option, it’s a necessity,” Mr Menadue said.

WHAT IS YOUR BIG PRAHRAN ELECTION ISSUE? TELL US BELOW

Fellow independent Steve Stefanopoulos said it was “vital” the school was built, because there were no state secondary schools available to residents of Prahran and Stonnington that were non-selective.

Prahran state Liberal MP Clem Newton-Brown said the issue of the state high school was “by far the most popular local policy”.

But Animal Justice Party candidate Eleonora Gullone said she felt the need to remind voters “it was a Liberal government that took one out (a public secondary school) in the first place so they do and they undo”.

The former Prahran High School was closed by the Jeff Kennett-led Coalition government in the 1990s.

Candidates were also asked how they proposed to reduce traffic congestion along Punt Rd.

Greens candidate Sam Hibbins said while the Greens supported 24-hour clearways, which were announced by the Government earlier this year, a SmartBus route was the best way forward.

Cr Hibbins said the SmartBus would follow a route along Punt Rd — from Elsternwick along Punt Rd, then across to the northern and then western suburbs — and would reduce congestion.

“We would also invest the money for the East West Link into public transport,” Cr Hibbins said.

Labor candidate Neil Pharaoh said he was supportive of an independent review of the easement along Punt Rd to “give certainty to owners and the community about the future of Punt Rd”.

Mr Pharaoh said he would also work with the community to discuss whether residents thought clearways were the best solution.

“And by building the Melbourne Metro rail tunnel, which for Prahran will create a north-south crossing,” Mr Pharaoh said.

“The long-term solution to transport and livability is improving public transport.”