Donvale Christian College gets approval for Year 9 campus in Warrandyte South — minus crossing

A Christian school in Melbourne’s east has been given approval to build a rural campus – but concerns have been raised about student safety and access by bike and on foot.

Donvale Christian College students have previously looked after alpacas and other farm animals as part of a subject they were studying. Picture: Steve Tanner

Donvale Christian College will establish a Year 9 campus in Warrandyte South despite no plans for supervised road crossings or footpaths nearby.

Manningham councillors granted the college a permit for its development at 58-64 Hall Rd at last night’s November meeting with minor amendments.

The college will move its proposed bus bay off the road and on site in front of the campus.

A packed gallery attended last night's Manningham Council meeting for the decision on Donvale Christian College's new campus. Picture: Kiel Egging.

It will also investigate traffic calming measures on surrounding roads with the council, with Cr Sophy Galbally saying the college would contribute up to $30,000 for works.

But Cr Dot Haynes voted against the amended motion due to her concerns with student safety and access to the campus on foot.

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She asked two questions to the council’s director of city planning and community, Angelo Kourambas, who confirmed there were no provisions in the college’s plan for a supervised children’s crossing.

Cr Haynes feared students might walk “willy nilly” across Hall Rd without the crossing.

Donvale Christian College plans to build a campus at the Youth Dimensions site in Warrandyte South, which it bought this year. Picture: Google Street View.

Mr Kourambas also said there would be no footpaths created except for within the school’s immediate vicinity.

Cr Haynes told the packed gallery she was concerned the surroundings were not ideal for those walking or riding their bikes to the campus.

“I am aware that this (the campus) has the ability to cause a lot of stress for people who live in the area,” she said. “I don’t think it addresses many of the needs that are needed for the safety of the roads and the students.”

Councillors passed the amended permit six votes to one.

Cr Geoff Gough was absent and Cr Andrew Conlon did not vote due to a conflict of interest.

The college’s principal Tim Agrall was contacted for comment.

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