A new Catholic primary school at Craigieburn is a step closer, after the state government committed to funding the first stage of the project.
Education Minister James Merlino offered $2.5 million towards the school as part of a $27 million funding announcement of Catholic and independent schools across the state.
The new school will be built on Whites Lane, Craigieburn West, and will be the suburb’s third Catholic primary school.
Catholic Education Melbourne executive director Stephen Elder said the organisation would match the government’s contribution dollar-for-dollar to meet growing demand for Catholic schools.
Mr Elder said Catholic Education Melbourne was finalising a masterplan for the new school and would apply to Hume council for a planning permit shortly.
He hopes construction will start early next year, with the school expected to open at the start of 2018.
“Craigieburn is one of Melbourne’s fastest growing areas and the demand for enrolment in Catholic schools in the area is very high,” Mr Elder said.
“Demand is currently being managed by our other local schools, Mother Theresa School and Our Lady’s School.”
Mr Elder said the new school would be called Oscar Romero Catholic Primary School after former San Salvador Archbishop Oscar Romero, who served from 1977 to 1980.
Romero was an outspoken critic of social injustice, assassinations and torture in El Salvador.
Mr Merlino said the government would also provide $1.35 million for new classrooms and car parking at Epping North’s St Mary of the Cross MacKillop Catholic Parish Primary School.
Mernda’s Gilson College will receive $997,000 to finish a building that will house a library, classrooms and offices.
Mr Merlino said that one in three Victorian students attended Catholic and independent schools.
“They are a vital part of our education system and this funding will help provide better facilities to more Victorian students,” he said.
