A glimpse of new campus

Preliminary designs and a site plan for the new Junior Secondary Campus in San Remo have been released.

The school will be located on land at the intersection of Potters Hill and Shetland Heights roads.

Member for Bass, Jordan Crugnale said construction of the new facility was set to get underway in the coming weeks.

The new campus will be a Year 7-9 junior campus for Wonthaggi Secondary College, attended by students from San Remo, Phillip Island and the Waterline district. The site plan released by Ms Crugnale shows the location of an administration building, library, classrooms and separate specialist and innovation buildings.

The school will also include a competition-grade gym and spaces for food technology, music and performing arts. The campus also includes a football oval and outdoor sports courts.

“The new campus will be located on Potters Hill Road in San Remo, with SJ Higgins appointed as the builder,” Ms Crugnale said.

“It has been specifically designed with an on-site pick-up that directs exiting traffic to turn right up Potters Hill Road, sending traffic to the Philip Island Road, reducing any need for school traffic on Shetland Heights Road.

“Council has nevertheless requested that the VSBA seals Shetland Heights Road, and provide a roundabout, as part of the school development,” continued Ms Crugnale.

“The VSBA has responded that the upgrade of Shetland Heights Road is for Council to fund and manage as needed. Municipal roads are the responsibility of municipal councils.”

Disbelief

The decision by the government not to seal Shetland Heights Road has been met with anger and disbelief by local residents.

Fritzie Barrowcliffe, a spokesperson for the residents of Shetland Heights Road, said they will continue to lobby all levels of government, as it was “unacceptable” not to upgrade the road.

“Did people who wanted the school to be in San Remo expect it to be at the end of two dirt roads?”

Poor visibility, lack of drainage, no footpaths or bike paths and clouds of dust are issues for anyone using the road.

“This isn’t an ordinary road,” she said.

“It’s a secondary road used by the public. Do they seriously think they are going to bus 500 kids up and down Potters Hill Road? And what about local kids who want to walk or ride to school?”

Residents have criticised the government for its lack of consultation with the local community, who they say will be directly impacted by the location and design of the new campus.

The school is scheduled to open in 2022.

The preliminary designs can also be viewed online at www.schoolbuildings.vic.gov.au/schools/Pages/WonthaggiSecondaryCollegeJuniorCampusSanRemo.aspx