A new school in Docklands?
Ms Sandell to ask the Minister for Education— what are the stages of the planning process for a new school in Docklands and how many of those stages will be undertaken in 2015.
ANSWER:
I am informed as follows:
Developing a new school is a significant investment and involves a number of stages to ensure that public money is invested in the right place at the right time. These stages include demographic assessment-to determine, confirm and quantify need, a site suitability assessment-to identify the most appropriate site, followed by land acquisition, design and finally construction.
The Victorian Government has committed to making the Victoria the Education State. Central to this is ensuring all Victorian students have access to 21st century school facilities.
As part of this commitment the Government is investing an initial $530 million to upgrade and build new schools, including $77 million for a package of eight new schools in growth areas, three new schools in inner Melbourne, the redevelopment of the Footscray education precinct, and $10 million for new classrooms and facilities at Carlton Primary School.
This Government is committed to restarting the planning process for a school in Docklands. In 2015 the Department of Education and Training will undertake a new demographic assessment to confirm the need for a school in Docklands and surrounding suburbs.
The Department will also restart negotiations with the City of Melbourne and other government agencies to confirm the best location to deliver a school to meet the needs of families that live in the Docklands and inner Melbourne.