Residents of the town of Kalkallo are rejecting plans for a primary school at a site they believe is an “accident waiting to happen”.
Signage at the 2.9-hectare Malcolm Street school site, just off the Hume Freeway, went up on September 23, notifying residents of plans to build Kalkallo Grammar.
A spokeswoman for residents opposing the development, who asked not to be named, told Star Weekly that a school was of no value to residents and children of Kalkallo.
“The real concern for us is the traffic,” she said. “That site is not a good place for a school. It’s stuck in the middle of nowhere and it’s right on the busy Hume Freeway.
“It’s an 80km/h zone and, for cars to be pulling in and out onto that highway before and after school, is an accident waiting to happen.
“I dare anyone to come and try that intersection for themselves. It’s pretty scary.”
The spokeswoman said much of the township, which has about 100 residents, was heritage listed.
“We have no sewerage, we live off rainwater tanks and use bottled gas. We have electricity, but other than that we’re very much off the grid.”
The new school would be built over seven years, eventually catering for as many as 280 prep to year 6 students.
A Hume council traffic assessment found VicRoads would eventually close Malcolm Street’s intersection with the freeway and redirect traffic onto on and off ramps.
VicRoads advised this upgrade would be subject to funding, and the intersection was likely to stay as it is for five to 10 years.
Education and Training Department spokesman Steve Tolley would not comment on the Kalkallo Grammar proposal after direct questioning.
“We’re investing almost $4 billion to make Victoria the education state, so every community has access to great local schools and every child gets the chance to succeed,” he said.
“The current school capital pipeline is one of the largest in Victoria’s history, with almost 30 new or further stages of schools set to open over the next few years, including Craigieburn North West Primary School, Epping North Primary School, Mernda Central P-12 School, Mernda South Primary School and senior years facilities for Hazel Glen College.”
The applicant for the permit, Mr Abdurrahman Gokler, said Kalkallo was in a growth area, but he wanted to await the planning process before speaking further about the school.
Hume council will consider the Kalkallo Grammar proposal after October 9.
Submissions to www.hume.vic.gov.au
