A state primary school at Lucas has so far missed out on funding despite lobbying from the City of Ballarat and a jump in enrollments at neighbouring schools. 

Speaking in Ballarat on Tuesday, Education Minister James Merlino said he was unable to give a timeline for the new school. 

Mr Merlino said the government was aware of enrollment pressures in the new suburb, but said he would not preempt a budget decision.

“I can’t tell you exactly when it will happen,” Mr Merlino said.

“I’m not going to preempt any decisions or announcements, I’m aware of the need and the request of the local community and the city council.

“We’ll deliver the schools when they are needed.”

Lucas’s first school, Siena Catholic Primary School, opened at the start of this year.

Meanwhile the Lucas region’s nearest public school, Alfredton Primary School, has seen enrollment jump from 470 in 2010 to 600 in 2016.

Ripon MP Louise Staley said the new Catholic primary school had just two vacancies at the start of its first term this February. 

The former Liberal government had earmarked $5 million for a state school at Lucas.

“The people moving into that suburb continually tell me that they want the choice of a government school.

“They thought they’d be getting on it on a timeline of it being announced by now and so it’s very disappointing that the government has not chosen to fund a primary school for the fastest growing region in Ballarat.”

City of Ballarat infrastructure and environment director Terry Demeo  said the council hoped the government’s budget would recognise the growth in Ballarat West with funding for new schools. He said the council and developers had been “working with … developers across Ballarat to advocate this position”. 

Mr Demeo said in November that a site for a Lucas school has been identified by council and fully serviced.  

Mr Merlino would not be drawn on whether a state government decision was all that stood in the way of a new school for the western suburbs.

“You can’t do everything in one budget,” he said.

“There needs to be sustained investment budget after budget after budget.”