Partnership draws a mixed reaction

Local students and residents gather at the proposed Casey Central Secondary College site in Narre Warren South. The school is one of four in the city which will be built under a public private partnership.

By Callan Date
PLANS to build four new schools in the City of Casey under a public private partnership (PPP) have been met with a mixed reaction by the community.
The State Government announced the plan last week, which will result in Casey Central Secondary College, Cranbourne North East Primary School, Lyndhurst Primary School and Cranbourne East P-12 School all being designed, built and maintained by a private company.
The Government will still retain responsibility for all teaching services and the curriculum.
Education Minister Bronwyn Pike said the four schools would be some of the first built under the new scheme.
“These new arrangements will deliver modern schools in our growing suburbs while allowing principals to concentrate on leading great schools and helping students, rather than focusing on day-to-day building and maintenance issues,” Ms Pike said.
However, some parents and Opposition MPs have questioned the decision.
Concerns over higher school fees and the predicted cost of the projects are just two of the issues raised.
South Eastern Metropolitan Region MP Inga Peulich slammed the State Government for promising Casey Central Secondary College, set to be built on vacant land near the Casey Central Shopping Centre on Narre Warren-Cranbourne Road, during the 2006 State Election without securing the necessary funds.
The school was originally promised for 2009, but later changed to 2010.
Community pressure forced the State Government to establish a transitional campus at Hillsmeade Primary School for year seven students from 2009.
“Because the school is now a PPP the Casey community will be waiting and paying more,” Ms Peulich said.
“A slice of the profit will now need to be delivered to the investors and the facility will cost more than would have been the case if the Government had planned the project.”
Narre Warren South MP Judith Graley disagreed.
“This means our local school will have better facilities than otherwise would be possible,” she said.