Alphington Grammar school gate leaves local community divided
The installation of a humble new fence at a private school in Melbourne’s northeast has divided the local community and sparked concerns for child safety. Here’s why.
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A fight over installation of a fence at a Melbourne private school has divided the community and sparked concerns for child safety.
Alphington Grammar recently installed a new brick and wrought-iron fence and gates, sparking historical claims over who owns the land it stands on and what rights the public has to set foot on the property.
Yarra Council claims the school constructed the fence across Old Heidelberg Road without its approval and that residents have complained the gate restricts their access to Darebin Creek.
But school leaders – and the Greek Community of Melbourne which has owned the school for 31 years – say the gate protects kids from strangers straying into the playground.
Greek Community of Melbourne president Bill Papastergiadis said the safety of kindergarten and primary school children should be the priority.
“We want to avoid incidents at the school by strangers lurking near school toilets – does the council want to take responsibility with a child being threatened or harmed?’’ he said.
Principal Vivianne Nikou said the council was putting the interests of a few locals wanting a shortcut to the creek ahead of the protection of students.
“How do they think the public will go through a private property, that is a school that has all the child safety issues attached to it?’’ she said.
The council unanimously agreed to take control of the disputed land at a meeting this month and will hold a public consultation about how it should be used.
A council report said the land the gate was built on was leased to previous owners the Christian Brothers by the former Heidelberg Council in 1953 but the licence was only meant to last 15 years.
In a statement, it said: “Yarra Council will consult with all key stakeholders and the local community on this issue in early 2021.’’
It yesterday revealed four public objections had helped drive its decision, despite 565 students attending the school.
School council chairman Marinis Pirpiris said: “This is a decision about the safety of the children who are coming to the school to be educated and we have to ensure that their safety is paramount.
“It’s very difficult to argue that you could have unidentified people walking into open school grounds.’’
The council report said “legal implications” had been identified “and are currently being managed.
“A risk management/mitigation approach will be taken,’’ it said.
The Department of Transport is also undertaking a study on a new footbridge over Darebin Creek.
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