There had been an outcry after the school did not receive funding for a new facility in the May 2 state budget.

A new site for the school was purchased and announced in February last year, and prior to the 2014 state election the state government promised to fund a new building.

School council president Michael West said the council made the decision to postpone the meeting because in its view it was in the best interest of the school, the students and the staff.

“The council has been working since the budget to get some clarity on where the school building project stood,” Mr West said.

He said the council had been advised that the original commitment from the Department of Education and Training stood and it needed to work through a process with them.

“We’ve been in active communication with the department and they are supporting us to progress the project,” Mr West said. “The last weeks have reminded us of the community’s strong commitment to the project and the type of support available to us when we need it. We’re grateful for the support and commitment from everyone to ensuring the delivery of a new Warrnambool Special Developmental School.”

South West Coast MP Roma Britnell, who backed the meeting and invited Education Minister James Merlino to attend, did not provide a public statement on the change. The meeting was to be held at the Lighthouse Theatre with Warrnambool mayor Kylie Gaston speaking.

A department spokesman said work with the project architects and school community on designs for the brand new Warrnambool Special Developmental School were ongoing, and may be released publicly once they are finished and approved.