Kyneton primary school pupils are a step closer to getting a brand new education precinct.
Work has started on the $11.5 million project that will fold Kyneton Primary School into an education hub shared with Kyneton Secondary College and adjacent to Sacred Heart College.
Education Minister James Merlino and Macedon MP Mary-Anne Thomas broke ground for the project last week.
“[We] lobbied long and hard for investment in local government schools,” Ms Thomas said. “The precinct is a flagship for the education state with more than $21 million of combined investment in a new primary school and upgrades to Kyneton Secondary College – providing opportunities for students across the Macedon Ranges.”
The start of construction on the project coincides with consultation over details for use of the new trades building at Kyneton Secondary College.
The newly installed building is the centre of the school’s $10.5 million modernisation project, which aims to provide apprenticeship-level training for post-secondary students.
The building will also house GPs taking part in the doctors in secondary schools program and run programs for local primary schools and community groups on trades and services including engineering, building, construction, robotics, electronics and welding.
Kyneton Primary School principal Alistair Rayner told
Star Weekly the school’s current site would first be offered to government departments and Macedon Ranges council.
“The process has already started to determine the future use of this site, which is now excess to the department of education’s needs,” Mr Rayner said.
“Community consultation will take place to gauge who is interested in using the school site and [as a last resort] the school might be put up for sale if it’s not fit for the purposes of government or council use.”
Meanwhile, the transformation of the historic 150-year-old former Romsey Primary School site into a community health centre and surrounding park is taking shape.
Cobaw Community Health, the greater Romsey all abilities park committee and Macedon Ranges council are working with architects on designs and plans for the revamped Palmer Street site.
