Private education providers are lining up to get a presence in Ballarat’s expanding western suburbs, prompting questions as to whether the public school sector is keeping up with growth.
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Designated primary and secondary school sites in the Winterfield development along Greenhalghs Road could be sold before the end of the year, while an offer has been lodged for another primary school site to the south-west of the Delacombe Town Centre.
While the state government requires critical infrastructure such as roads and sewage to be in place prior to purchasing land for education, the private sector is able to move more quickly to acquire school blocks.
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Goldfields Development director Marco Gattio, whose company controls Winterfield, said two private school groups had expressed interest in the hub which includes provisions for sports ovals and a leisure centre.
“It may be four or five years until we see construction on the site but the demand is certainly there,” Mr Gattio said.
In addition to the Delacombe and Winterfield sites, proposed schools have also been suggested for the Ballymanus and Bonshaw developments.
A new state government funded kindergarten near the Bonshaw site on Morgan Street is anticipated to come online in 2018.
City of Ballarat infrastructure and environment director Terry Demeo said council had initiated dialogue between independent and Catholic education providers and developers about two months ago.
He said while the permanent population was not yet in place for another public primary school, the take-up of housing in the area warranted investment.
“We would welcome independent school development in Ballarat west as it would be very advantageous for the growth of the area,” Mr Demeo said.
“We think the critical mass for a public sector state school in the west is also there and we would welcome a commitment from the government as soon as possible.”
While the government is negotiating with developers Integra over a space in Lucas for a future primary school, it is yet to allocate any funds for the construction of the school or set any timeframe for the development.
The neighbouring Siena Catholic Primary School which was opened at the beginning of 2017 already boasts 70 students and anticipates dozens of new enrolments for the 2018 school year.
However the government is in the process of conducting a $10 million upgrade of Phoenix P-12 Community College in Sebastopol and a $2 million enhancement of Delacombe Primary School.
South Ward councillor Des Hudson said while it was critical adequate services were in place across Ballarat, it was important existing public schools maintained their enrolment figures.
“I think from the current demand on the Catholic system there may be an opportunity for another private primary school but what you don’t want is primary schools which are all only half full,” Cr Hudson said.
In a statement, Education Minister James Merlino said “"we are investing more in school infrastructure than any government in the state's history to give students in Ballarat and across Victoria the best education”.