TIMBOON parents have united behind a campaign to get $7 million from the state government to rebuild Timboon P-12 School.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Detailed plans for new buildings, including science and maths classrooms, have been drawn up but are gathering dust while the community waits for Spring Street to come forward.
Parents tired of waiting for the government formed a lobby group this week aimed at galvanising frustration to make a strong case for the next state budget.
Around 30 parents and supporters gathered at a special community meeting at the school on Thursday night.
Mother and campaigner Debbie Dalziel said the saga had been “exhausting”.
“We’ve been told there’s not going to be any decisions between now and March but we don’t want to sit back and wait for that,” Ms Dalziel said.
Schematic drawings and layout plans have already been drawn up for the $14 million redevelopment, which has been split into two stages.
“It’s beyond refurbishment, it needs serious structural improvement,” Ms Dalziel said.
‘‘You can’t keep throwing good money at dilapidated buildings.’’
Prep enrolments for next year have increased despite bad publicity over the closure of the school in May due to asbestos concerns.
Campaigner Carolyn Woods said Timboon was up against other major schools campaigning for similar needs.
“Geelong high school are asking for just over $21 million and they have the same issues as ours,” she said.
‘‘We’ve got to work really hard at this.’’
Principal Rosalie Moorfield warned the fight risked being side-lined without public help.
“Without pressure we will get swept under the carpet,” Ms Moorfield said.
Ms Moorfield met with the Education Department in Colac this week where she unsuccessfully pleaded for unsafe and disused buildings to be torn down.
“Because we’ve got buildings that are disused they wouldn’t give us money to fix up the buildings that are used,” she told the meeting.
“We need the money to demolish.”
s.mccomish@fairfaxmedia.com.au