More schools a must as Hume population bursts

MELBOURNE’S north west will need 21 new schools in the next 20 years if population forecasts climb as expected.

Melbourne’s Hume region will need 21 new schools in the next 20 years if the population continues to grow as expected.

HUME will need 21 new schools in the next 20 years if population forecasts climb as expected.

It’s anticipated the number of people living in Hume will rise from 193,760 in 2015 to 311,776 in 2035, strengthening the call for more primary and secondary schools across the municipality.

In late 2014 the State Government committed to building Craigieburn North West Primary School in the Newbury area, due to open next year.

But Hume Mayor Helen Patsikatheodorou said areas such as Craigieburn, Greenvale, Mickleham and Sunbury required more schools.

She said the number of primary school-aged children in Hume was due to rise by 65 per cent — or 12,765 children — between now and 2035, while secondary school student numbers would jump by 51 per cent (8459 children).

According to Essential Economics’ One Melbourne or Two report, 290 primary schools and 95 secondary schools are estimated to be needed across Interface Council areas by 2026.

Cr Patsikatheodorou suggested an ongoing Interface Schools Infrastructure Fund would help build or upgrade schools for those living in newer suburbs to access affordable education.

But the call for schools has been ongoing in Hume.

Last year, parents renewed the push for a secondary school in Greenvale, which had been earmarked for decades. At the time, the Education Department said there were “no immediate plans” for one in the area.

Greenvale Education Collective founder Rebecca Wright said they were still at square one and needed a high school nearby.

Yuroke state Labor MP Ros Spence said she supported school investment and was pleased that Craigieburn would benefit from a new primary school, but admitted more needed to be done.

She said she would keep working with the minister’s office and council “to get as many education options as possible”.

A spokesman for Education Minister James Merlino said population growth across communities like Hume had spurred them to invest $4 billion into education and skills in 2015-16, with 17 new schools to be delivered in Melbourne’s outer areas in the next few years.

He said more schools would be announced soon but did not say when or where they would be.