Fight for land

By Paul Pickering
WITH the Ferntree Gully College site walled by cyclone fencing and subject to a Department of Education review, two Liberal MPs have launched a pre-emptive bid to retain the site for community use.
After being deemed by the State Government as surplus to its educational demands, the facility on Dorset Road was closed down in November last year.
Having opposed the school’s closure, La Trobe MP Jason Wood and Ferntree Gully ally Nick Wakeling are now concerned that the site will be lost by the local community forever.
With a Department of Education review underway, the State Government will not be drawn on the future of the site. According to government policy, if the Department of Education deems that the site is not required it will be offered to other government departments and agencies first, and then to Knox City Council.
If there is no interest, the land will be offered for sale by public auction or public tender.
Mr Wood believes such a sale would be an injustice.
“If it is sold, the money goes into State Government coffers,” Mr Wood warns.
“Only a very greedy State Government would take the money away from the area.”
Instead, Mr Wood and Mr Wakeling would like to see the site retained for educational, sporting or other community use. The venue has been previously touted as a possible development site for Knox Basketball Incorporated (KBI).
The review process, however, has created a stalemate for KBI and other potential suitors.
Having previously criticised the Department of Education for its protracted review of the Ferntree Gully Primary School site, Mr Wakeling is concerned that a similar situation may prevail across the road at the college.
At the heart of their calls for haste, they say, is a desire to replace speculation with substance.
“All we’re saying is ‘get on with it’,” Mr Wakeling urged.
“Our hands are tied until they actually make a decision.” Admitting that Liberal posturing is unlikely to sway the State Government, Mr Wood believes it is up to the Ferntree Gully community to fight for the site.
“What we’re trying to do is to get the community inspired to save the school site,” he said.
“The local community is concerned about this. If they want us to fight on their behalf, we’re happy to do that.”
With the Department of Education noting that it is at the beginning of its review process, both MPs admit that discussion about the future of the site will continue to be dominated by questions rather than answers.