By Tyler Wright
The Labor party has planned to spend big on schools in the Dandenong Ranges if re-elected in November, with almost $9 million pledged to upgrade and modernise Emerald Secondary College, and a promise to install electronic speed signs near Gembrook Primary School.
Emerald Secondary College principal James Barut said the promised funding will give the school the capacity to build a middle school space used by Year 9s and Year 10s who now have access to more elective subjects.
“The new vision of engagement will correlate well with capacity to teach, to run introductory lectures or to facilitate a differentiation where we have different groups working at different levels,” Mr Barut said.
“By being able to open up those larger learning spaces, we move away from the traditional classrooms…[it] gives us more options to spread out.”
The $8.77 million investment is set to complete Emerald Secondary College’s master plan, which has already seen a refurbished administrative block, a new resource centre with an attached careers hub and technology upgrades for textiles and food technology areas.
“Flowing on from that we now have the capacity to modernise some of the older buildings in the school… and the money will go a long way into making that happen,” Mr Barut said.
Gembrook Primary School principal Brendan Fitzpatrick said the potential installation of electronic variable speed signs outside the school is a “big win” for the community.
“In 2019 we collected 800 signatures that were presented to VicRoads as part of a campaign to have them installed,” Mr Fitzpatrick said.
“There’s been a big increase in enrolments…enrolments have gone from about 160 to 250 kids [in six years], so that means more families [and] more vehicles on the road.”
Mr Fitzpatrick also said rainy weather and fog are also an added safety concern.
“Add to that – our school crossing is probably 50 metres of the crest of a blind hill,” he said.
“There was a clear need for those signs… and thank goodness we’ve got that commitment now.”
Labor candidate for Monbulk Daniela De Martino said upgrades to Emerald Secondary College will provide students with the “world-class facilities they deserve”.
“As a former teacher, I know that students thrive when they have the best teachers delivering their education in excellent facilities,” Ms De Martino said.
“That’s why the Andrews Labor Government has invested more than $12.8 billion to build and upgrade schools in every corner of the state – making sure every student
has every chance.”
Ms De Martino also said a Labor government “will deliver safer roads for families and school children in Gembrook”.
“We’re doing what matters – delivering safer, better roads for communities in Monbulk with electronic variable signs at Gembrook Primary School,” Ms De Martino said.
Liberal candidate for Monbulk, Gareth Ward said the coalition will be making an “exciting announcement” about Emerald Secondary College during the election campaign, and “unlike Labor – the commitment we make will be honoured, and it will be delivered on budget”.
“A Liberal government will deliver for the school, while reining in Labor’s runaway state debt,” Mr Ward said.
Mr Ward also said the Liberal party has committed to installing electronic speed sings out the from of Gembrook Primary School, with $1 million for the entrance of the school to have its own dedicated entrance lane.
Mr Ward also expessed concerns the state government has not delivered on the issue over the last term, despite community concerns being raised.
