By ANEEKA SIMONIS
SCHOOL-AGED residents are set to skyrocket in Cardinia Shire over the next decade, but there is no certainty schools in the region will be able to keep up with the demand.
Student growth projections estimate the area will be slugged with a 58.3 per cent increase in school-aged children in the outer south-eastern growth area over the next 10 years.
Localised statistics forecast there will be more than 30,200 people aged five to 19 in Cardinia Shire within 10 years.
Primary school students are expected to put the greatest pressure on schools in the growth council, with 11,130 residents aged 5-9 forecasted to live in the area.
The municipality is one of very few Victoria council’s expected to absorb more than two-thirds of the state’s expected student growth of 180,000 students in Victoria by 2026, according to Grattan Institute research.
It suggests up to 220 new schools would need to be built to keep up with demand; however a spokesperson for Education Minister James Merlino revealed the government only has set plans for 27 new schools across in Victoria.
Though more are expected to be announced in the years to follow, concerns have been raised whether public schools will be able to meet the demand of the state’s disproportionate and surging increase in students.
The education spokesperson confirmed the development of just one new school in Cardinia Shire.
“The government has already committed to building Gum Scrub Creek Primary School which will ease some of the enrolment pressures for students in Officer and Pakenham.
“Funding for the acquisition of the site was provided in the 2015/16 State Budget,” he said.
The former State Government secured funding for another primary school in October 2014, Pakenham South West Primary School.
It is expected to house up to 750 primary school students at the Henry Road site.
Shadow Minister for Education Nick Wakeling claimed the government was “doing nothing” to improve the looming issue.
“Daniel Andrews has no plans for funding future schools in growth corridors such as Cardinia Shire,” he said.
“Doing nothing is simply not a solution.”
However, the education spokesperson said: “We are addressing the future education needs of our State through an unprecedented $730 million package to build new schools, upgrade existing school, and buy land for future demand.”
The ballooning number of students due for Cardinia Shire more than doubles the demand projected for nearby municipalities including the City of Casey and Greater Dandenong – each anticipating a 25 per cent boost in school-goers by 2026.
