Surf Coast Ti Times mes
Thursday 8 May 2014
VOL 12. No 19
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State Budget guarantees funding for Torquay North Primary School construction
Photo: MICHAEL CHAMBERS
From paddock to primary: Pupils Noah, Ella and Bailey Gait from Torquay P-6 College (front), and Remmi Morris and Will Sorensen from Bellbrae Primary School join Premier Dennis Napthine at the funding announcement.
BY HAMISH BROOKS
STRAPPER STOKED
Strapper owner Mike Di Sciascio and Torquay store manager Dylan Schulze with their Australian Surf Industry Awards. See page 4.
THE pressure on primary schools in Torquay and surrounding areas is set to be eased with the announcement that the state government will make funds available for the construction of another school. Premier Dennis Napthine was joined by South Barwon MP Andrew Katos at the new school site on Horseshoe Bend Road near South Beach Road to announce that Torquay North Primary School would be one of 11 schools delivered as part of the government’s $191 million Budget investment to build facilities in growth areas. “This investment is about the future,” Dr Napthine said. “As part of the investment, the establishment of Torquay North Primary School... will provide critical new infrastructure to meet the needs of local families.” Mr Napthine said the school, once completed, would provide state-ofthe-art classrooms for students, including art, music and student amenities, and
physical education and administrative facilities. Mr Napthine said the school would be ready to accept students for the 2018 school year, but could possibly be ready for 2017. Mr Katos welcomed the funding announcement. “This important funding will ensure higher quality facilities for current and future students within these rapidly growing communities to ensure they have the best possible education.” Torquay North Primary School will be designed, built and maintained under public private partnership with expressions of interest from the private sector to be sought this year via a competitive tender process. Torquay P-6 College principal Pam Kinsman was on hand at the announcement and said the new school would reduce the pressure primary school education was facing in Torquay. “I am very excited for the families living in the Torquay North areas. “This will mean that many
students will be able to walk or ride to school each day. The new school will take the pressure off enrolments at the other local primary schools. “Torquay College has great facilities but increasing enrolments is placing pressure on our school site. It would be great to move the temporary buildings off the Torquay College site when the new school opens. The government announcement has certainly come at a good time.” Surf Coast Shire mayor Rose Hodge welcomed the funding news, and said the next step for the shire was to secure funding for a children’s hub in Torquay North. “The real priority now is to secure funding to deliver kindergarten and early years services at the Torquay North Family and Children’s Hub. “With the Surf Coast Secondary College and Banyul-Warri Fields, this will ensure we have a really well-planned neighbourhood where people can walk or ride bikes to access services and recreational areas, which is really important for families.”
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