Secondary college to be built in Craigieburn South

A MUCH-NEEDED secondary college will be built in Craigieburn South by 2020.

A MUCH-NEEDED secondary college will be built in Craigieburn South by 2020.

The State Government has announced $24 million will be spent on building the college and $19.7 miilion on a new Beveridge West Primary School in Melbourne’s north.

They will be among 28 new schools announced ahead of the 2018/19 State Budget, bringing to 70 already opened or on their way across Victoria in the past three years.

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Education Minister James Merlino said land had already been secured for the schools, but was unable to release details of where or the scale of the builds.

“Building two new schools in Melbourne’s north will ensure we keep pace with the community’s increasing population and give families certainty and peace of mind,” he said.

There are more than 50,000 people living in Craigieburn and surrounds. Craigieburn Secondary College added about 200 students this year, with 1021 now enrolled there.

Its assistant principal Allison Greene welcomed news of the Craigieburn South school.

“It’s great for the community to have choice and options close to home,“ she said.

“It’s always a benefit and having the new school means we can strengthen education and the community and we look forward to working with the school as we currently do with the other school in the area.”

Yuroke state Labor MP Ros Spence said that “here in Craigieburn and right across Victoria we are making sure every child has every opportunity to succeed”.

Beveridge families had been calling for a new school to be built, said Yan Yean state Labor MP Danielle Green.

“I’m delighted their voices have now been heard,” she said.

More to come.