Broadmeaodws home sites freed
Laura Banks
05May08
PRELIMINARY funding to transform vacant school sites into public and affordable housing could be a surprise announcement in today's State Budget.
The Leader understands the Government is keen to use some sites to be vacated under the program of school mergers in Broadmeadows to boost the supply of public and affordable housing in the area.
Erinbank College and Westmeadows Heights Primary School sites, both in Erinbank Cres, have been mentioned as possible sites for housing.
Within two years, students from these schools will relocate as the first campuses of the $100 million Broadmeadows Schools Regeneration Project open.
The project, which began in earnest last year, is set to receive a further boost during the Budget. Funding is expected for a years 10-12 college on Broadmeadows Town Park, further construction on the Blair St site, and primary school buildings at the Dimboola Rd site.
Hume Council is also waiting for the outcome of its joint funding application to build a community football training centre in Craigieburn. The Richmond Tigers would use the centre as a summer training base.
Meanwhile, Craigieburn Secondary, Gladstone Park Secondary and Roxburgh Secondary colleges received a total of $280,107 in funding last week to help with the upgrade of technical equipment.
The cash is earmarked for the purchase, hire or refurbishment of items.
Yuroke state Labor MP Liz Beattie said: "Investment in vocational and technical education is increasingly important because it helps develop a skilled workforce and keeps young people involved in the education system."
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