Ball in school’s court

By Jim Mynard
A SCHOOL promised during the State Election for the Timbarra estate in Berwick may affect plans for a councilowned basketball facility on the site.
Spirited debate on the proposed school erupted at the council meeting on Tuesday, 5 December when Edrington Ward councillor Brian Hetherton asked the council to withdraw from negotiations with the State Government on purchase of land, which is part of the school site at the corner of Ernst Wanke Road and Parkhill Drive, Berwick.
Cr Hetherton said residents were given a raw deal over the school, which was promised in a veil of deception.
“The college has been on the books for a long time after it was initially promised to the community and not delivered,” he said.
“People were then told they would not get a school and the site went on the market, but the City of Casey was given an option to buy part of the school site at considerable cost.
“This council has been dealt a dud.
“Because of the election, the Liberal Opposition promised to build the school if it won.
“The Government eventually changed its mind and said it would also build the school.
“This happened despite statements from Narre Warren North MP Luke Donnellan that it would not be built.
“Our mayor of the day at a public meeting said the school could not be built because the council was buying part of the site.
“Cr Bradford said the remainder of the land was not large enough for a secondary college.
“We should go back to the blank canvas so the Government has all the land it needs to design and build a college from scratch.
Cr Hetherton said because of the school, the planned basketball stadium may not be in the right place.
Cr Wilson said Cr Hetherton was putting on hold any chance of getting a basketball facility.
“This facility is muchneeded in the north of the municipality,” Cr Wilson said.
“We cannot wait for this to happen.
“If the Education Department takes all the land back we will get only one basketball court.
“We have a duty to residents.”
“If the Government put the college on the backburner the council may not get the basketball facility for a long time.
Narre Warren North MP Luke Donnellan, who announced just before the election that the school would be built, said he was unable to say for at least a week what the time frame for building the school would be.
“I will advise residents of the plans after I have discussed the matter with the department and the new minister,” he said.