Thursday, 19 September 2019

The Andrews Labor Government will modernise Traralgon College’s senior campus, and rebuild Latrobe Special Developmental School on the Traralgon College Junior Campus site, to meet the needs of current and future students in Traralgon.

The Minister for Education James Merlino and Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing today announced the development of masterplan options for each site to explore future education options in Traralgon, which will incorporate the views of more than 150 teachers, parents, students and community members.

Under the new proposal, the special developmental school would be relocated to the main town area, to provide better links for students with the local community and mainstream education providers in Traralgon, while the senior secondary campus will undergo modernisation works.

A merger between the Latrobe Special Developmental School and Traralgon College has been ruled out, and following community feedback, the two schools will not be co-located at the Grey Street senior campus site.

The community consultation report shows strong community support for co-locating Traralgon College’s junior and senior campuses on the one senior school site, which will be one of the longer-term options presented by architects.

More than 150 people, including 84 students and teachers and 29 parents and community members, provided feedback via workshops and online surveys. The community will continue to be consulted as the project progresses.

The Labor Government is investing $6 million in the Traralgon Regeneration Project, as part of its $5.6 billion investment in new school buildings and upgrades across the state.

Under the Victorian Government’s school building boom, a total of 100 new schools will open by 2026, ensuring every child can access a great local school and get a great start in life. The Victorian Government is building the Education State so that every student get a great education.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Education James Merlino

“The community wants Traralgon College to be the first choice for local students, with excellent academic and vocational pathways, and wants a safe site and quality facilities for Latrobe Special Developmental School.”

Quotes attributable to State Member for Eastern Victoria, Harriet Shing

“We’re listening to the Traralgon community to provide safe, modern education facilities that will enable all students to achieve their best at school.”