Class action

By Paul Dunlop
NEW schools have been declared top priority for Pakenham as battle lines are drawn in the buildup to the state election.
With voters going to the polls in November, Cardinia Shire Council said improved education facilities were top of the list of needs in the fastgrowing community.
The local seats of Gembrook and Bass are expected to be two of the hardestfought contests in the Victorian poll.
Political lobbying has intensified with council officials meeting with candidates from each of the major political parties to argue their case for more schools — and soon.
Acting chief executive officer Garry McQuillan said the message delivered to candidates was simple.
“Education is our number one issue. We desperately need more schools,” Mr McQuillan said.
Council officials have targeted a new primary school for Pakenham as the most pressing need with expanded secondary facilities similarly in demand.
The call comes as parents are having to drive their children to schools in outlying towns because Pakenham’s schools are already filled to capacity.
Even the muchwelcomed announcement earlier this year of a new primary school for people living in the Heritage Springs area won’t be enough to meet demand, council has warned.
Cardinia manager of community wellbeing Fiona Hodges said enrolments at Pakenham’s two primary schools were rising steadily each year.
“Over the next five years, the number of primary schoolaged children in Pakenham and Officer is forecast to increase from 2946 to 4736, an increase of 1790 children,” she said.
Ms Hodges said council had been working closely with the Department of Education and Training to compile a list of future priorities.
Cardinia Shire’s education wishlist includes:
A NEW primary school in Shearwater Drive to service residents in Lakeside and other estates west of Pakenham, to be open by 2010.
THE possibility of other new primary schools in the north west area of Pakenham and in Officer, depending on the rate of development and enrolments at existing schools.
SITES identified for new secondary colleges in Pakenham and Officer and planning put in place for the construction of the first stage of a new secondary college within the next five years.
Council is also keen to see provision made for postcompulsory educational and vocational training facilities.
Teachers and parents have welcomed the push for new schools and say improvements are also needed at existing schools.
The election on 25 November will see Gembrook Labor MP Tammy Lobato pitted against opponents including Liberal candidate Simon Wildes.
In Bass, Liberal MP Ken Smith faces challenges from candidates including Labor’s John Anderson and Jacky Abbott from the Nationals.