AFTER nine years of campaigning, planning for Richmond High School is beginning, with the school to be built on a carpark owned by the State Government.
Education minister James Merlino and Richmond MP Richard Wynne visited the Gleadell St site today to announce the planning committee for the school.
The site is zoned for educational use and is the site of the former Richmond Technical School.
The new co-educational school could house as many as 800 students.
Yarra Council, community group Richmond High School Choices, Department of Education and Training and representatives from local schools will form the planning committee.
Richmond High School Choices spokesman Justin Naylor said the committee would work together on the design of the school.
“After nine years of campaigning for Richmond High School Choices, it is great to see an essential community asset will be created,” Mr Naylor said.
Mr Wynne said the committee would work to ensure the school did not impact on nearby facilities, including the Lynall Hall School Community, Richmond Union Bowls Club, Leo Berry Boxing Gym and Citizen Park.
“They are going to be important players as to how they integrate together,” Mr Wynne said.
Labor committed $10 million towards construction of the site during the election, with $1 million delivered in the State Budget for planning.
Mr Merlino reiterated funds for construction would be delivered in subsequent budgets.
“You have to do planning and design work before you can break ground and build the thing,” Mr Merlino said.
“In budgets to follow, the capital money will flow.”
It is hoped planning will be complete by the end of the year.
Yarra Mayor Phillip Vlahogiannis said the council was looking forward to the opportunities the school would provide for the community.
“We welcome the opportunity to collaborate with the State Government in the best interests of the Yarra community,” Cr Vlahogiannis said.
Carpark to be site of new Richmond High School
Author: Toby Prime, Melbourne Leader
July 15, 2015 4:45pm
- Source: heraldsun.com.au