Fears for primary school
BELLBRAE Primary School parents say they are devastated the Education Department might tear down a 103-year-old building to make way for new facilities.
A June school newsletter said elements of the historic building would be recycled into a new building.
But the Education Department this week revealed it hadn’t made a decision about the future of the building.
Parent Kristen Rudduck said she was “shocked” the school might not preserve the much-loved building, instead favouring a competition-sized basketball stadium at the school entrance.
She said the proposed redevelopment was in contrast to Bellbrae’s neighbourhood character.
“It is desired by parents and residents to support a more natural environment for Bellbrae Primary including open space at the entrance to the school and preserving school culture and local character,” Ms Rudduck said.
“We are a school with a rural locality. The proposed stadium location is suburban in nature and is lacking any sympathy with its surrounds.”
A Department of Education and Training spokeswoman said the school, Victorian School Building Authority (VSBA) and design team were reviewing the master plan, following community feedback.
“The review will explore all options in relation to the old art room building,” she said.
“The department is working with Bellbrae Primary School and school council as it considers the best approach to deliver the modern education facilities its students deserve.”
Ms Rudduck said she hoped the council would heritage list the building, which is used for art classes.
But Surf Coast Shire environment and development general manager Ransce Salan said the council had not assessed the building in any of its previous heritage studies.
Mr Salan said a heritage overlay would not be “particularly helpful” because the VSBA did not require a planning permit to upgrade the school.
He suggested the community direct their complaints to the VSBA.
The VSBA website said the school received $754,000 in the 2017-18 State Budget to upgrade its amenities block, art room and courtyard and in the 2019-20 Budget received $9.1 million to upgrade the gym, oval, learning spaces, science, technology, engineering and maths facilities. The school has been contacted for comment.