College council backs petition
MANY other South Gippsland secondary colleges have been rebuilt. Now it is Korumburra Secondary College’s turn, said school council principal Stuart Jenkin.
“We would like a commitment so that we know where we stand,” he said.
“We have been lobbying the government for four or five years.”
David Amor, president of the Korumburra Business Association, whose daughter has started in Year 7 at the college this year, said major changes are needed at the school.
“Korumburra has missed out and the traffic situation at the school has to change; after school pick up is bad,” he said.
Mr Jenkin joined Eastern Victoria Region MLC Danny O’Brien last Thursday to launch a petition calling on the State Government to rebuild Korumburra Secondary College.
“Many of the school buildings were built in the 1950s and are literally crumbling,” Mr O’Brien said.
“Despite the best efforts of the teachers and staff at the school, it’s not a conducive environment for students to learn in.
“I urge the Labor Government not to forget our regional schools and continue with the Coalition’s plan for the redevelopment.
“The Korumburra Secondary College desperately needs this funding to rebuild its ageing and deteriorating buildings.”
Mr O’Brien hopes the petition will convince the State Government to provide the funds necessary to rebuild the existing 60 year old school.
The previous Coalition Government allocated $5.6 million in last year’s budget to rejuvenate part of the school and an architect has been chosen for those works.
The Coalition announced more funding if it won last year’s state election and the petition calls for the government to uphold the Coalition’s promise.
Mr Jenkin said an additional $3.4 million would provide for a total rebuild of the school.
Current vehicle access risks public safety, and traffic conditions can be chaotic and dangerous, particularly after school.
The budgeted funds include refurbishing the building fronting the main road, but Mr Jenkin said only a rebuild of the whole school would solve the issue.
“If we knew what the future was in funding terms, it would help us design for the future,” Mr Jenkin said.
Mr O’Brien said, “The money is there so let’s do this properly.”
He said a modern college was vital for the economic prosperity of the town.
“If people are bringing their children to the school, benefits flow through to the wider community,” he said.
The petition will be available to sign at local businesses and Mr O’Brien’s offices at 36a Bair Street, Leongatha and 181 Franklin Street, Traralgon.
It’s time: from left, president of the Korumburra Secondary College council Stuart Jenkin with Eastern Victoria Region MLC Danny O’Brien, handing over his petition seeking the additional funds needed for the rebuild of the school.
They are joined at the front of the school by David Amor, president of the Korumburra Business Association.
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Posted by Tayla Kershaw on Feb 11 2015. Filed under News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry
