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A learning experience There’s still no resolution in sight for the push to build a private school on the Surf Coast, writes PAUL MILLAR
Still waiting: the site in torquay purchased by christian college for the new school. (Supplied)
(iStockphoto / thinkStock)
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hristian College is prepared to about the prospect of opening a campus on the wait as long it takes to build a Surf Coast. multimillion-dollar campus on the The chief executive says the college would Surf Coast, despite being stymied by years of not build any residential units in the area, local-government red tape. only an education facility. It would also be a Plans to build a school in the Torquay area less invasive structure than the abandoned have stagnated for years due to fluctuating 250-metre chook shed that occupies the site. planning laws, despite the local council The prolonged fight eventually caught the initially encouraging college leaders to buy ear of state Planning Minister Matthew Guy. land in the area. In a local media report, he was quoted as In 2007, the college bought more than labelling Surf Coast mayor Libby Coker gutless 15 hectares west of Duffields Road, in the and said the council was incompetent. Torquay/Jan Juc area, for $3.6 million. He said developers were trying to build a It planned to build a school to cater for school, not a residential development. prep to year-9 students and anticipated that Despite his comments, Mr Guy was not up to 600 would enrol from the rapidly prepared to override the council. growing neighbourhood. “There’s an amendment process under way The college believes that up to 300 of its and until that is concluded, the government existing students are disadvantaged by the does not have any comment,” he said – in a prolonged opposition to the development as toned-down response from his earlier attack they have to travel to Geelong. on the mayor and the council. College leaders looked at several potential At its July 2011 council meeting, Surf Coast sites in the area. According to a report on Shire resolved to not include the Spring Creek the school’s website, talks with the then shire Future Urban Growth Area within the region’s council “continually encouraged us to identify Sustainable Futures Plan. a site close to the existing township and Last month it endorsed amendments in particular the first kilometre west of (C66) to its original plans. It now “we are Duffields Road’’ – within the Spring wants to alter boundaries, which Creek corridor. would exclude the Spring Creek not going This area had been considered valley from future urban growth. to go a long-term growth corridor since This decision has been forwarded away” 1980. All that changed when a new to an independent panel, which will council took office – it abandoned the review the amendment and then make planning framework in 2009. recommendations to the council. The The Surf Coast Shire has a population of council will then send further submissions to 28,000. It is one of Victoria’s fastest-growing the state government. areas, with its numbers expected to have It does not end there. The college is prepared grown to nearly 45,000 by 2031. to pursue its rezoning bid. Any decision on It might seem a given that the council would that will be deferred until a decision is made snap up any opportunity for an independently on C66. funded school to be built in the area, but it is The state government is also reviewing what involved in a tricky balancing act. It is trying are now regarded as farming zones. If changes to retain a close-knit community feel while are endorsed, that might give the college providing the services a growing population another avenue to get its school built. requires. At the same time, it wants to retain Two councillors, David Bell and Brian the area’s coastal attractions, a major drawcard McKiterick, have already decided not to vote for tourists. on the controversial issue. As part of this strategy, it has defended plans Under Victorian legislation, councillors to retain land in the area for agricultural use must approach decisions, particularly planning and has declared it a farming zone. That left issues, with an open mind. Cr Bell had the private college with no alternative but to commented on the issue before being elected fight for rezoning, to “special purpose”, which to council, while Cr McKiterick has declared a would allow it to build its campus. conflict of interest. College chief executive Daryl Riddle says he Others have been restricted in what they is not disillusioned by the lengthy delays. “I am can say as any comments could be seen as aware that these things take time and we are prejudicial and result in them abstaining working hard with the council on it.’’ from voting. “We are not going to go away. We would not Meanwhile, students are still making the bus have purchased the land in the first place if it trip to Geelong. \ pmillar@theweeklyreview.com.au was not the right thing to do.’’ Students from as far away as Apollo Bay hAve your sAy travel down the coast to attend Christian lettersgeelong@theweeklyreview. College campuses. Mr Riddle says hundreds com.au of families have spoken to him over the years
may 9, 2013 \ The weekly review 9