by Michaela Meade
The Greenvale Residents’ Association (GRA) has expressed concerns about Greenvale’s lack of schools, following Hume council’s rejection of a planning application for one last month.
Safety concerns led the council to reject a proposal for a 250-lot development on Providence Road, which also included a plan for a secondary school.
Cr Jarrod Bell – who is a Victoria State Emergency Service volunteer – raised concerns about the development’s fire safety risk, citing the surrounding flammable bushland and single entry and exit point as particular key issues.
GRA president Tamara Nolan said there was a pre-existing example of a school in a similar situation.
“If we take a look back 20 years or so at our local private college, it was and still is in a similar situation – surrounded by parkland full of trees and only one entry and exit point,” she said.
“There is a precedent for school developments to be built near parkland already in Greenvale.
“I’m certain the [proposed] school would establish an emergency management plan as all schools are required to.
“With further consultation with the local parks and [the Country Fire Authority] I’m sure appropriate planning and fire breaks would assist future developments in this area.”
Ms Nolan said that while she had not had an opportunity to survey local residents on the topic, she suspected there would be a mixture of responses about the proposal, as schools were much-needed.
“Secondary schools would be welcomed as residents have not had a variety of selection and typically have sent their children out of the zone for their education,” she said.
“Schools would increase the value and attractiveness of property in the area to residents in Greenvale.
“With so many new developments and estates being built close by with young families, the school would be well positioned for future enrolments.”
