LABOR has promised to build a new home for Warrnambool Special Developmental School if it wins the election.
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Deputy opposition leader James Merlino on Wednesday committed $5 million for the first stage of the project, including the purchase a site likely to be in north Warrnambool.
School leaders have been unable to win support from the government to relocate from Hyland Street despite urgent pleas about overcrowding.
The announcement is the first major appeal to the city’s voters by Labor before next month’s election.
Speaking to parents and teachers, Mr Merlino, who also holds the shadow education portfolio, labelled the school’s facilities “simply unacceptable”.
“The needs of the school are clear, it’s a school bursting at the seems,” Mr Merlino said.
“If Labor is elected on November 29 the education department will be instructed to get to work immediately with the school community.”
School council president Ken Gale said about 120 students were expected to enrol next year.
The school opened in 1989 with 13 students.
“There is a site available in Warrnambool that’s been allocated for education or as a community hub, but it will have to go through council,” Mr Gale said.
School leaders are also frustrated about new portable classrooms being attached ad hoc to the school by the department.
“Out of the blue a new portable turned up and without any consultation with the school council or principal,” Mr Gale said.
“We hadn’t heard anything about it. I think they thought it might keep us quiet but it’s just adding to the clutter.”
Space in the steeply sloping school yard, which is mostly concrete, is so limited students must take their lunch breaks at different times.
Mr Merlino said the plans would be added to Labor’s education budget.
“It’s the first stage. The commitment is the relocation of the school ...the initial investment is $5 million to purchase the land and do the planning works,” he said.
“This will be over one to two budgets.”
“This is not just studies and pre-planning. This is to find the appropriate site and purchase site and to do the designs and costings.”
South West Coast Labor candidate Roy Reekie said local companies would be given priority for the building contract.
“This site is just not appropriate ... what the school needs is a site that allows them to grow and they’ve got growing numbers,” Mr Reekie said.