The Nationals Member for Euroa Annabelle Cleeland has formally invited the Minister for Education to Broadford Secondary College to see firsthand the enrolment pressure the school is facing and the urgent need for infrastructure investment.
The previous Education Minister has stated that Broadford Secondary College was ‘currently not facing enrolment pressure,’ despite students being taught in hallways and prospective students being turned away for the 2023 school year.
With the region experiencing strong growth Ms Cleeland said investment should be a priority of the government.
“Right across the Mitchell Shire we are seeing massive growth as people move out of Melbourne for our regions. We need infrastructure to support this growth,” Ms Cleeland said.
“With no public secondary school in Kilmore, Broadford is seeing considerable enrolment pressure off the back of the great work of the staff and the community.
“Students being turned away at the start of the year isn’t what we ever want to see and it’s crucial the school is front of the line for upgrades.
“This is not a problem that will go away if it’s ignored, it will only get worse.”
Ms Cleeland made a $8 million commitment to upgrade the school if elected to government last year.
“While I welcome the government’s commitment to upgrade Broadford Primary, the college simply can’t be left to deteriorate,” Ms Cleeland said.
“Our investment would have seen portables converted into real buildings, upgrades to sporting infrastructure and an expansion in school capacity.
“Kids in our region shouldn’t have to settle for second best just because they’re twenty minutes north of Wallan.
“The returned government needs to match our commitment and provide the facilities the staff, students and community of Broadford deserve.”
Ms Cleeland said she would happily facilitate a meeting with the Minister and the school to work towards a collaborative investment.
“The state budget is creeping up in May and I’d love to see some money put aside to upgrade Broadford Secondary and bring the buildings into the 21st century,” Ms Cleeland said.
“I’d be very pleased if the Minister accepted my invitation and came up the Hume to understand why this funding needs to happen sooner rather than later.”
