Five new schools will need to be built in Hume within the next five years to cope with soaring student numbers, according to Hume council.
Council data reveals that in 2017, there were 43,161 school-aged children living in Hume. By 2035, the municipality will be home to 61,444 students.
Over the next 17 years, there will be a 64 per cent increase in the number of primary school-aged children in Hume, and a 55 per cent increase in the number of secondary school-aged children.
Mayor Geoff Porter said there is an urgent need for more schools in the municipality to accommodate population growth.
The council is lobbying for the state government to build five new schools by 2022, starting with the acquisition of land for Merrifield West Primary School this year. It wants the school to be open by 2021.
The council is also lobbying for Greenvale North West Primary School and Craigieburn South Secondary School to be built by 2020, and for land to be acquired for Kalkallo Common Primary School and Merrifield West Secondary School by 2019 to allow the schools to open in 2022.
“Over the next 20 years as Hume continues to grow, it is anticipated that there will be a need for an additional 21 state primary and secondary schools to be delivered by the Victorian government in order to meet future population demands,” Cr Porter said.
“As one of Melbourne’s fastest growing cities, we want the Victorian government to ensure that existing schools are not put under further pressure and Hume’s residents are adequately provided for.
“Our community needs the timely delivery of these schools to ensure education remains accessible for students of all ages.”
The government is already planning to open a new school in Craigieburn next year, with work starting on Aitken Hill Primary School last month. The $13.8 million school was designed in consultation with the community.
