Twenty-five new kindergartens, 20 primary schools and six high schools will be needed in Wyndham by 2036 to cope with the area’s burgeoning young population, according to Wyndham council.
Wyndham mayor Peter Maynard has called on both the state and federal governments to be “visionary” and “lead a new agenda that prioritises investment in fast-growing areas like Wyndham”.
“In the lead-up to the 2018-19 Victorian budget, we’re calling on the state government to fund the early planning and land acquisition for seven new primary schools, one specialist school and two secondary schools,” Cr Maynard said.
“We’ve also called for the construction of a senior secondary college, two primary schools and five early years family learning centres.”
Other items on the council’s state and federal government budget wishlists include two new Regional Rail Link stations, at Black Forest Road and Davis Road; support services for the Wyndham Justice Precinct; and the Western Interstate Freight Terminal.
To date, Wyndham has received more than $20.8 million from the state government’s Growth Areas Infrastructure Contribution for projects such as CFA stations in Wyndham Vale and Truganina and land acquisitions for two schools and ambulance stations. It has also received $14.7 million from the Growing Suburbs Fund for 10 other projects, including the Chirnside Park redevelopment and the Wyndham Aboriginal Community Centre.
But a state government Plan Melbourne document outlines developinging Geelong as Victoria’s second city as a priority, along with planning the non-urban break between Melbourne and Geelong.
“The Avalon Corridor Strategy will provide direction for land-use planning that addresses landscape and environmental issues as well as long-term planning protection for Avalon Airport, the potential development of a port facility at Bay West and state-significant transport corridors,” the document states.
“This is a joint initiative between the Cities of Greater Geelong and Wyndham, with support from Regional Development Victoria.”
Lalor MP Joanne Ryan said she would like to see federal Stronger Regions Grants reinstated for Wyndham.
“We shouldn’t be using infrastructure projects as a way to influence votes,” she said. “Infrastructure projects should happen because they’re good ideas, they stack up economically and environmentally … we need to be planning much more strategically.”
