Community wants Hill End school

Baw Baw Shire Council has decided not to purchase the former Hill End Primary School site but would like to see management of the building handed over to a community group.

After considering a first right of refusal option for the former school site, council decided it did not want to purchase the site.

The Education Department is currently proposing to sell the former school site.

Instead of purchasing the building, council will advocate for the site to be handed over to DELWP to enter into a formal arrangement with Hill End Community Incorporated (HECI).

The former primary school was closed 10 years ago and has been occupied for several years by HECI, which is an active community group in Hill End.

The 0.8 hectare site is zoned for public use (education) and is surrounded by farm zoned properties.

HECI currently holds insurance covering the school building and former teacher’s residence.

A report to council said the group had occupied the site on an informal basis with support from DELWP on an informal arrangement.

“Without any regular or guaranteed financial assistance, HECI has undertaken a significant amount of maintenance on the site.

“In the context of the local shop, school, church all closing and no sporting clubs HECI has introduced a very successful Australia Day event, Anzac service, community market and art show,” the report said.

Officers said DELWP strongly supported the state government retaining ownership of the site and formalising a long term tenure with HECI.

However, the Education Department and Treasury and Finance Department had proceeded with plans to sell the site stating the site has no public benefit and sought expressions of interest through the First Right of Refusal (FROR) process.

Officers said the valuer general’s office had valued the site at $100,000 with a restriction for public use on title. Council purchasing the site had not been budgeted for.

“As an organisation HECI would be devastated to lose control of this site. It would be fair to say that most of the activities currently undertaken by the group would cease.

“Currently HECI has a positive impact in the Hill End community and have filled the gap left by services and organisations closing,” officers said.

Cr Michael Leaney said the Hill End school site was a great place for the community.

“HECI is an active organisation that does so much for the community,” he said.

Cr Leaney said many people thought the transfer to DELWP had already gone ahead.

“I would love to be moving a motion to say purchase the site but there have been issues about the pricing,” he said.

Cr Peter Kostos said it was very important for this to be retained to the community for the community.