Gippsland › Latest news › Bass Coast Local News
Dear Mr Andrews…
Today, Bass Coast Shire Council Mayor, Cr Pamela Rothfield, sent a letter in response to the puzzling and devastating 2017/18 State Budget Announcements. The Budget did not include the expected funding towards education improvements in Bass Coast.
Dear Premier Andrews,Wonthaggi Education Precinct Funding
On behalf of Council and the Bass Coast Shire community, I write to express our deepest disappointment that the new senior campus of Wonthaggi Secondary College (Stage 1 of the Wonthaggi Education Precinct) was not funded in the 2017/18 Victorian State Budget released yesterday.
To provide our context to you:
The provision of a quality education precinct in Wonthaggi remains a key priority of Council and our community. The school, community and Council have worked relentlessly over a decade to ensure that no stone remained unturned in order to achieve the vision.
Wonthaggi, as a designated regional centre identified in Plan Melbourne and the Gippsland Regional Growth Plan, needs quality education and health facilities in order to fulfil its true function. Educational attainment in Bass Coast is well below the Victorian average. Council is working tirelessly to ensure that our fast growing shire offers our community the benefits of a true regional centre. We are currently planning, with support of the Victorian Planning Authority, to facilitate the doubling of our town. Secondary education facilities today are woefully inadequate and substandard. The time is now to start to undo decades of under investment by Government.
Education in Bass Coast has reached crisis status. Our students literally cannot fit into the current facilities and leisure facilities are woefully inadequate. Council and the community demand a genuine response to our confusion and dismay, and a real and measurable commitment in relation to how and when the Victorian Government will deliver our school and associated shared facilities.
I would value the opportunity to meet with yourself and the Minster for Education in order to hear your response firsthand. I can be contacted on (03) 5951 3393 or 0428 936 025, or via email on pamela.rothfield@basscoast.vic.gov.au
Yours sincerely
Cr Pamela Rothfield
Mayor
Bass Coast Mayor, Cr Pamela Rothfield, sends a letter expressing disappointment that the new Wonthaggi Secondary College campus was not funded in the 2017/18 Victorian State Budget.
For more information contact:
Simone Short
media communications officer
t (03) 5671 2703 | f (03) 5671 2222 | m 0400 804 187
e simone.short@basscoast.vic.gov.au
Source: www.gippsland.com
Published by: support@gippsland.com
Latest News
Berninneit in Cowes earns four nominations for prestigious Australian Institute of Architects' Victorian Chapter AwardsANZAC Day events across South Gippsland and other shire council updates
Gippsland students urged to enter National Water Week poster contest by 6 September 2024
Have your say and help develop Trafalgar Structure Plan through online survey by 20 May 2024
Stay vigilant and report scams to IDCare on 1800595160 as over 500,000 Aussies lose $3B in 2022
Tim Bull visits Gallipoli and honours fallen locals such as Basil Hooper, Vern Brookes, Thomas Bell, and Thomas Haylock
Community feedback needed for East Gippsland Shire Council Draft 2024/25 Budget by 29 May 2024
Fresh food tax criticised by industry as lack of clarity on payment and collection will harm families and farmers
Russell Broadbent seeks answers to 20% increase in cardiac arrests by advocating investigation to include vaccine mandates
East Gippsland Shire Council highlights telecommunications infrastructure when advocating over thirty goals for community resilience and development