More than 150 people have signed a petition calling for a public school to be built in Williams Landing.
The petition and accompanying letter by the ‘Residents of the Suburb of Williams Landing’ were presented at Wyndham council’s meeting on Monday night.
It requests that the council work with the state government and the suburb’s developer Cedar Woods to open a school in the area “as soon as possible”.
According to a study by the petition organisers, the population of Williams Landing has reached about 6000, with up to 1000 children enrolled in childcare or school.
“Currently, most [residents] are forced to seek education and childcare outside the suburb,” the letter states. “Residents … are starting to struggle and worry about where to send their kids for their education – many are even considering moving out.”
The provision of public schools is the state government’s responsibility through the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development.
The council will prepare a report on the government’s plans for the provision of schools across Wyndham.
Cedar Woods Victorian state manager Nathan Blackburne said the developer remained open to the possibility of adding a school to the suburb.
He said its first proposal to include a school within the development was declined by the state government seven years ago.
“We also undertook an expression of interest process for schools within the project, but interest was not sufficiently strong,” he said. “Cedar Woods will continue to advocate on behalf of residents … for a range of educational options.”
