Nationals MPs Annabelle Cleeland and Gaelle Broad have shared their support for a community-led petition calling on the State Government to build a secondary school in Heathcote.
The petition, started by Heathcote local Shayne Swansborough, has been submitted through Parliament and asks for the State Government to conduct a feasibility study on building a state-run secondary school, and then begin construction of the school should it be feasible.
Nationals Member for Euroa Annabelle Cleeland raised the issue during the last sitting week of Parliament saying the school would be of great value to Heathcote and the surrounding area.
“I want to thank Shayne Swansborough for his recent work pushing for a public secondary school in Heathcote,” Ms Cleeland said.
“Everyone deserves an education close to their home but students in Heathcote are forced into travelling between 45 minutes and an hour each morning to get to school.
“It is time to listen to the community and provide them with a public school.”
Nationals Member for Northern Victoria Gaelle Broad, who has sponsored the petition in the Legislative Council, said Heathcote is a growing town in our region that has an increasing amount of young people needing education options.
“With two primary schools in town, seven bus loads of secondary school students depart Heathcote every morning.
“As the town continues to grow, it is essential that locals are supported with essential infrastructure like schools.
“Petitions provide a valuable opportunity to campaign for change, and for local communities to have their voice heard in Parliament.
“I encourage people to show their support for this petition to build a secondary school in Heathcote, and look forward to tabling it in Parliament.”
The petition can be found at: https://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/get-involved/petitions/build-a-secondary-school-in-heathcote/
