Surf Coast Times
Tuesday 16 November 2010
VOL 8. No 46
www.surfcoasttimes.com.au
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$85M BOOST TO HEALTH SERVICES Ten-year-old Tahlia Olive, from Ocean Grove, will have plenty to show and tell at school this week after Premier John Brumby signed her cast on Sunday. Brumby joined Member for South Barwon, Michael Crutchfield, to announce an $85million pledge to build a new hospital in Grovedale should Labor be re-elected at the state election on November 27. See Page 3 for more details.
SCHOOL FIX
Major political parties each commit $20million in a bid to solve Torquay’s education problems
BY NATHAN HALE TORQUAY’S education woes will be straightened out following next week’s state election – regardless of who wins power. Both the Labor Party and Liberal-National Coalition have promised to spend $20million on working to solve Torquay’s increasing education problem. The news will provide some relief for parents – and the bulging local education system – where kindergartens are crammed to capacity and competition for primary school places are in great demand. While the $20million figure is equal, the way in which that money will be spent differs. If the Liberal-National Coalition is voted in, they
Surf Forecast
have promised to: • Build a new standalone high school on a greenfield site in Torquay north • Revert the existing Torquay College back to a standalone primary school once the secondary school has been built • Provide a $500,000 grant to extend Torquay Kindergarten and retain it on the current site near Torquay College • Shadow Minister for Education, Martin Dixon, has also indicated a second primary school would be built when warranted. If the Labor Party is re-elected, they will: • Retain Torquay College at Grossmans Road – extending it to be P-12 • Build a new, standalone primary school in Torquay north.
Liberal candidate for South Barwon, Andrew Katos, said education – and specifically the building of a standalone high school – was a key component in his bid for election “Everyone is well aware that education is one of the major concerns of people in the area,� Katos said. “By building a standalone secondary school we will be providing a provision for growth. “The current site on Grossmans Road doesn’t provide for future growth. A standalone school in Torquay north will also alleviate many of the traffic problems on Grossmans Road.� Member for South Barwon, Michael Crutchfield, was last week joined by Deputy Premier, Rob Hulls, to announce Labor Party plans for education. Crutchfield said brand new facilities at Torquay College would be built to accommodate Years 10 to
12 students and for the new Torquay north Primary School. The extension would be built on the site currently occupied by the Surf Coast Shire. The shire will relocate to the new Civic and Community Precinct once it is completed. “Today’s announcement is great news for the Torquay community,� Crutchfield said last week. “We understand parents want the best for their children and that’s why we’ll invest in building new facilities at Torquay College for senior students and a brand new primary school in Torquay north – to give every young person the opportunity to get the best education possible.� Are these election promises the answer to Torquay’s education concerns? Tell us your thoughts by emailing editor@surfcoasttimes.com.au
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