The Numbers Stack Up High School For Coburg

For Immediate Release

October 2009

The numbers stack up so where is the planning for a High School for Coburg The suburbs of Coburg and Coburg North meet the new Precinct Structure Plan guidelines for outer suburban developments announced by The Hon Minister for Planning Justin Madden MP.* The suburbs have a combined population of over 30,800 (2006 ABS Census) not to mention the other suburbs in any new state secondary school catchment zone. The obvious difference is Coburg is not an outer suburban development, but Coburg has the greatest population growth in children of all suburbs in Moreland (iD Forecast population projections) and has the Coburg Initiative, Pentridge Prison development and old Kodak factory site development. All of which mean the continued growth of secondary school age children and a very real lack of local community options for secondary school education – an education blackhole. Public consultation has begun for the development of the former Maribyrnong Defence Site, which Justin Madden has already said will contain schools. Meanwhile in Alphington, the Government is set to negotiate with developers to buy land to build a local government secondary school. These are both commendable actions. Where is the same consideration for Coburg and surrounds which have a great need already and more growth forecast? It is hard not to be cynical with a state election coming up and seeing the safest Labour seat in Melbourne being neglected while vote buying happens around it.

*The new Precinct Structure Plan guidelines for outer suburban developments state that for populations up to 30,000 the plan should provide space for a government secondary school. http://www.gaa.vic.gov.au/Assets/Files/PSP_Guidelines_PART_TWO.pdf - Page 31 Key Principles for Designing Integrated Community Facilities.

For more information please visit www.highschoolforcoburg.org or contact: Darren Saffin 0411 089 209 [email protected]

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Map showing the state and Catholic primary schools in and around Coburg

Map showing no open entry secondary schools in the same area. The two schools shown are Coburg Senior High School (Years 10 to 12) and Preston Girls High School

Secondary schools closed down / merged in the Coburg area over the past 18 years: • Moreland City College - closed 31 December 2004 - now Coburg Senior High School – Years 10 to 12 only • Coburg High School – closed 31 December 1993 - buildings demolished and site awaiting permit approval for development • Newlands High School - closed 19 December 1992 - buildings demolished, site now part of Pentridge Prison development • Coburg Technical School - now Coburg Special Development School • Hadfield Secondary College – closed on 31 December 1992 - buildings demolished, site now a retirement village • Moreland High School – closed on 31 December 1991 - now Kangan Batman TAFE • Oak Park Secondary School – closed 31 December 1992 • Moomba Park Secondary College, Glenroy High School, Glenroy Technical School, Hadfield Secondary College and Oak Park Secondary College merged on 1 January 1993 to form Box Forest Secondary College • Brunswick High School, Brunswick Technical School and Brunswick East High School merged on 1 January 1993 to form Brunswick Secondary College To interview Cate Hall or Morena Milani, founding members of HSC, for additional population statistics, photo opportunities or more information, please contact: Darren Saffin 0411 089 209 [email protected]