Ms TIERNEY (Western Victoria) — My adjournment matter in the early hours of this morning is directed to the Minister for Education. It is in relation to a new Torquay primary school. At present Torquay College has approximately 820 students enrolled in prep through to grade 6, making it, as I understand, the largest primary school in Victoria. Each year an average of 120 prep students enrol at Torquay College, meaning that by 2013 there will be over 1000 preps to grade 6 students at the college. The Surf Coast Shire Council projects that there will be a 6.6 per cent growth rate per annum over the next 15 years, a number that will include young families.
In the lead-up to the last state election both the Labor and Liberal parties promised to build another state primary school in Torquay, and this year the coalition government set aside $5 million to purchase land for the new school.
My concern is that the $5 million set aside will not be sufficient to purchase the land, so I am seeking from the minister — —
The PRESIDENT — Order! I seem to recall that the member raised the same matter on a previous occasion.
Ms TIERNEY — No, on the other occasion my request was for the secondary college. This request is for the promised new primary school. I am concerned that the $5 million set aside by the coalition government will not be enough, given land prices in the Torquay area. There is some speculation, particularly by parents who are contacting my office, that this funding will only provide for something like an oval and not a school.
I ask that the minister inform me and members of the Torquay community when the new primary school will be built in Torquay to alleviate the pressures on Torquay College and particularly where the school will be located.