THE state government has announced opening dates for 15 new schools in Victoria’s fastest growing areas.
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However, there is still no immediate plans for a public school at Lucas.
Premier Daniel Andrews confirmed on Wednesday the opening dates for the schools across the 2017 and 2018 school years.
The previous Liberal government announced the new schools last year under the New Schools Public Private Partnership Project.
A media statement said the Labor government had fast-tracked and expanded the project in February to add two schools and deliver them earlier.
The Catholic Education Offtice Ballarat announced in July it will open a new Catholic primary school at Lucas in 2018.
At the time, Alfredton Primary School principal Laurel Donaldson said the school was growing rapidly and another public school would ease the pressure.
“We would love to think there is another government school to be built,” Ms Donaldson said.
Department of Education spokesperson Simon Craig said the department did not own a site for a school in the area but had worked with the City of Ballarat to identify a possible site.
“The department plans for school provision through the regular monitoring of residential growth, demographic change and enrolment trends across Victoria,” Mr Craig said.
“The department will continue to work with the City of Ballarat to ensure that there is adequate school provision in the future.”
Ballarat’s closest public school to open in 2018 will be in Bannockburn, which will include a primary and secondary school.
The new schools will cost $291 million to design, build, finance and be maintained for 25 years.
Opposition spokesperson for education Nick Wakeling said there was a clear need for a public school at Lucas and the Liberal government had committed funds for a new school.
“The Ballarat community want for Premier Andrews to start focusing on their needs, particulary in regards to education services in Lucas.”