The effort to build an Assyrian school in Melbourne’s north continues as Hume council calls for clarification on the state government’s proposed location.
In July the state government informally proposed 3 Kosciuszko Drive, Craigieburn, as a potential location for the school.
Council officers have since advised this location is not appropriate as it is within the protected Aitken Hill Reserve.
Speaking at the December council meeting, Cr Sam Misho, said council was not adequately informed the land had been suggested by the government.
“The state government could have approached the council and asked the council about this parcel of land before they got to the community and given them hope,” he said.
Cr Misho said council will engage with the state government to understand how and why the site was identified, and the level of support it will provide.
Hundreds of members of the Assyrian community crowded the council chambers.
Former councillor Joseph Haweil said the Assyrian community and church would like to work more closely with the council and see more enthusiasm about the proposed location.
“The community and council… has been inconvenienced simply to ask for an inquiry to be fully explored… something that should already have happened.”
Assyrian Church of the East Bishop, Mar Benjamin Elya, said the proposed school will benefit more than just the Assyrian community.
“It is a project rooted not only in educational need but in cultural continuity, resilience and genuine contribution to the broader Australian society,” he said.
Resident Hindreen Youkhana said the portion of land was recognised by the state government as a centralised location without any major planning risks.
He said there have been consistent ongoing delays and escalated costs for the community during their fight for the school.
“We found that the goals and the goalpost for what was a workable proposal continued to shift at each stage,” he said.
Cr Jim Overend said in 2022 the school was endorsed by council but was then rejected by the state government in 2023, despite support from local members of parliament.
Residents also raised concerns during the council meeting about the use of Aitken Hill for the school.
Resident Aaron Carr said he was alarmed to read about the proposal to build a school on the land.
