Campaign Update from Reopen Our Schools

Dear Supporters It has been quite some time since our last update on our campaign to reopen schools in Banyule. Here is a snapshot of the latest regarding the Provision Plan process. Stage 1 The stage 1 provision plan undertaken by consultants Capire on behalf of the DET was released in December 2015. That draft report showed a lack of public school options in the Bellfield area. It also showed that enrolment pressures were being felt in schools in the middle ring suburbs such as Heidelberg, Ivanhoe, Rosanna and Viewbank. Consequently, the recommendations from Stage 1 included: • A need to investigate improving transport options around Banyule, including cycling, walking, driving and public transport; • Investigation of options to increase school provision to support the Heidelberg, Heidelberg West and Bellfield areas; and • Assessment of the impacts that potential options will have on existing schools within the network. The stage 1 report found, amongst other things, that for families in Banyule, having local schools that are accessible via walking or cycling is important as longer travelling times can adversely impact on family life. It also highlighted a number of schools using portable classrooms to increase capacity. These schools were Banyule Primary, Ivanhoe Primary, Rosanna Golf Links, Viewbank and Heidelberg Primary schools. A number of secondary schools that are also using portables are Viewbank College, Greensborough and Montmorency Secondary Colleges. Parents also reported strong concerns about the loss of valuable play space arising from the continued long term use of portables. Stage 2 Consequently, the provision planning process went to Stage 2 and consultations involving the Community Reference Group took place. Representatives across our community from Heidelberg West, Bellfield, Heidelberg Heights and other areas within Banyule also attended. The final report from this process is currently being written by the Consultants. Feedback from the community reference group to the consultants was clear: • The study area including schools to the north outside of Banyule is not consistent with the election commitment given to look at schools within the Banyule catchment area; • Due to issues of topography in the network, families have difficulty travelling to the north to send their children to school. Whilst to the south, there is a lack of public school provision for families to access; • There is inequity of access to public schools for some families who are forced to travel longer distances and for those families who do not have access to a local public school at all; • The appropriateness of continued long term reliance on portable classrooms and the associated loss of open play space for children who attend those government schools; • Factoring in a ‘market share analysis’ skews the results as some families are forced to choose a non-government school by default due to no public options existing in their local vicinity. This is contrary to Government policy of ‘choice’ and parents having the right to choose a public school option for their children. Reopen our Schools contends that the continued reliance on portables as a long term solution for public schools in this area is not sustainable nor responsible as there is a further 16% projected increase in school aged children in the middle ring suburbs over the next 5 years. In Heidelberg alone between now and 2036, the number of 0-17 year old is projected to rise by 116%! It makes no sense not to plan now for increasing public school provision in the area, not to mention simply addressing the existing shortfall. Areas such as Bellfield, Heidelberg West and Heidelberg Heights continue to have long term under-provision of public education which raises distinct access and equity issues for families living in those suburbs. Many local schools already have enrolment zones. So for families living outside of those zones, without access to a local public school, how will children attend a public school with these added restrictions? Where to next? Reopen our Schools and the Community Reference Group has worked in good faith with the DET and engaged in the provision plan process. There has been multiple challenges along the way due to changes in staff at the DET and delays associated with those changes. We eagerly await the outcome of the Stage 2 draft report which will be finalised by the end of June 2016. Once the final report is released, we will update supporters. Banyule Council In the meantime, Banyule Council is seeking to purchase the Viewbank College Theatre site from the DET. This would be a disastrous outcome, yet again, for kids and families in Banyule. The theatre site is a valuable education resource that could accommodate future demand for school places. Reopen Our Schools believes that it would be more appropriate to wait to see the outcome of the provision plan before Council moves to acquire it. This site may very well end up developed for yet more housing, in our already overcrowded suburbs, adding more cars on the road. Simply building more houses in Banyule without giving due consideration to infrastructure and services is not sustainable nor responsible. It is vitally important that the State Government keeps DET land and facilities in the hands of the public so it can be protected and used for education purposes. Conclusion We will keep supporters updated once the final report into the provision plan process is delivered which we expect will be the end of June 2016. Once again, thank you all for your continued support and patience. We need more schools in Banyule! In Community Reopen Our Schools.