Work on a new school at Epping North, which will allow students to attend high school close to home, has been fast-tracked.
Construction of the Edgars Creek Secondary College began last week.
The $12 million school on the corner of Steen Avenue and Edgars Road will feature state-of-the-art science, technology and maths buildings with science labs, flexible break-out areas and digital technology learning spaces.
It will accommodate 1800 students.
The school is being built in a community precinct next to a primary school, community centre and reserve.
Thomastown MP Bronwyn Halfpenny said the demand for a secondary school in Epping North was so great the government had decided to fast-track the construction of the school.
She said the school would open in two stages, from term one next year.
The inaugural year seven students will be taught at Mernda Central P-12 College for terms one and two, before moving to their new school for the rest of the year.
“Enrolment pressures in the local area are growing day by day. We are delivering on our election promise and building a first-rate school that the entire community can be proud of, and it is all happening ahead of schedule,” Ms Halfpenny said.
The school will have a full-sized AFL grade oval with lights, coaches boxes and a cricket pitch, which will be funded by the government’s $50 million Shared Facilities Fund.
Suburban Development Minister and Mill Park MP Lily D’Ambrosio said the $4.7 million oval would be used by the school and local clubs, benefiting the entire community.
The fund has also provided $250,000 for new lights and shelter at Laurimar Primary School’s netball courts, which will be used by the Laurimar Power Netball Club.
The Doreen club has 300 members and expects its membership to grow significantly in the coming years as the suburb’s population booms.
