Wyndham is in “desperate need” of new schools and kindergartens to cope with a booming population, according to Wyndham council.
Learning city portfolio holder Cr Josh Gilligan, said council analysis showed the city would need another 25 kindergartens, 20 government primary schools and six public secondary schools by 2036.
Cr Gilligan said projections show there would also be a growing need for additional private primary and secondary schools in the same timeframe.
Wyndham’s population is projected to almost double what it is now by 2036.
“Wyndham is experiencing extraordinary growth,” Cr Gilligan said. “Over the last five
“Over the last five years more than 55,000 people have moved to Wyndham. This has meant we are in desperate need of more schools and kindergartens.”
Cr Gilligan said the council had been pushing for additional state government funding and resources for education, including new schools and kindergartens.
Recent state budgets had funded land acquisition for the proposed Davis Creek P-6 Primary School to be built in the municipality’s north-west; the Wyndham South Primary School P-6 in Werribee; and the Sanctuary Lakes South P-9. But Cr Gilligan said funding to construct the schools was “urgently required”.
He said the Point Cook South Senior Secondary College for years 10-12, which is expected to be constructed by 2019, also needed to be fast-tracked.
Education minister James Merlino said the state government recognised “the importance of meeting increased demand” as student enrolments surged in outer growth areas.
“We have invested more than $2.5 billion in school infrastructure over the past three years,” he said. “More than $130 million of this funding has been targeted at Wyndham, with this year’s budget investing almost $30 million in Wyndham schools … 56 new schools are being delivered across Victoria, including 10 in Wyndham.”
The Manor Lakes P-12 College, Tarneit P-9 and Featherbrook P-9 have opened. Kindergartens are the responsibility of local councils.
