By Brendan Rees
Families in Cranbourne East are a step closer to having a new primary school after a site was secured to build a proposed primary school.
Minister for Education James Merlino and Member for Cranbourne Jude Perera last week announced land at 50S Eliburn Drive, Cranbourne East had been acquired to start work on the Casey Fields (Five Ways) Primary School.
The new school will open in 2020 following construction funding of $20.1 million invested in the 2018-19 State Budget.
Member for Cranbourne Jude Perera said the school would deliver “first-rate education facilities” for the community.
“We’re getting on with the job of delivering an exciting new primary school to ensure families can access a great local school as the population in Cranbourne East continues to grow,” he said.
“This is on top of a new primary school for Botanic Ridge, and a new secondary college with a special school for Cranbourne West.”
Liberal candidate for Cranbourne Ann-Marie Hermans said it is disappointing Mr Perera and Premier Daniel Andrews had “dragged their feet” with funding the much needed school.
“Unfortunately, Labor have taken parents for granted in suburbs like Clyde, Botanic Ridge, Junction Village and Cranbourne East,” she said.
“This is one of the fastest growing areas in Australia and Labor has failed to provide the local infrastructure we need; we should not have to wait for an election year to have proposed schools announced.”
Ms Hermans said an additional 70 brand new schools could have been built across the state had Mr Andrews not torn up the $1.3 billion East West Link contract.
