The location of a $30m high school at Brighton is in doubt

Brighton Mayor Tony Foster says he is concerned the decision to find an alternative high school location would add an “unacceptable delay and significant cost” to its construction.

Senator Richard Colbeck (left) listening to Brighton Council Mayor Tony Foster speaking Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

CONSTRUCTION of a new $30 million high school at Brighton could be delayed after a stalemate surfaced between the local council and Education Minister on its location.

Minister Jeremy Rockliff recently announced the new high school would not fit on the same site as the Jordan River Learning Federation school farm — which is also set for a $4.3 million upgrade — and a new location would need to be found.

That prompted an angry response from Brighton Mayor Tony Foster who said there was no viable alternative site for the high school.

In a letter to Mr Rockliff dated June 3, 2019, seen by the Mercury, Cr Foster said he feared the school would now be built out of town.

He said that would make students car and bus dependent and increase the costs of connecting services.

“Senior staff at Brighton Council have spent a considerable amount of time in collaboration with senior staff from the Department of Education to look at options — it would appear their advice has either not been passed on to you or has been ignored,” Cr Foster wrote.

“I am extremely concerned you have reached the wrong decision that will have seriously negative effects on the Brighton community for decades to come.”

Cr Foster said he was concerned the decision to find an alternative high school location would add an “unacceptable delay and significant cost” to the project.

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He said the school farm redevelopment was developed entirely by the council and was intended to be adaptable to other sites.

A State Government spokesman said yesterday the new high school was a priority project.

“We will ensure the chosen site meets the long-term educational needs of Brighton,” he said.

The State Government wants the school farm to remain at its current location but Cr Foster said its relocation was a “no-brainer” if genuine agriculture and horticultural education outcomes were being pursued.

The new high school was a key Liberal election commitment. It was hoped construction would start before the end of the 2020-21 financial year.

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