coburg high school becomes high rise development
TRANSCRIPT
For Immediate Release April 2010
Coburg High School becomes high rise apartments
In an ironic decision, the old Coburg High School site has become a 510-apartment
development under Minister Madden’s controversial planning intervention powers.
“We are not against increasing urban density but it is ironic this development sits on
land that used be a vital piece of social infrastructure for the community,” said Cate
Hall, co-founder of the High School for Coburg group.
Coburg is under intense pressure from developers with the $1 billion Coburg Initiative
soon to begin and developments on the Pentridge Prison and Kodak sites all
increasing the population of the area, apart from the myriad of small developments
and baby boom.
“When we met with Minister Madden’s Chief of Staff, the HSC group was told that his
office doesn’t consider planning for schools. They obviously do when it comes to
greenfields developments but Coburg is in the too hard basket,” said Hall.
With Minister Pike refusing to talk to the HSC group and Minister Madden buck
passing, the local community is short changed when it comes to secondary school
options.
When all is said and done and the developers have made a fortune with only Minister
Madden’s controversial planning intervention powers standing between them and
empty sites, the residents will be left to live with the legacy of poor planning and a
lack of social infrastructure.
“This community deserves better from all parties involved. It is a once in a lifetime
opportunity to get it right,” said Hall.
For more information please visit www.highschoolforcoburg.org.
To interview Cate Hall or Morena Milani, founding members of HSC or for additional
population statistics, photo opportunities or more information, please contact:
Darren Saffin
0411 089 209
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Map showing the state and Catholic primary
schools in and around Coburg
Map showing no open entry
secondary schools in the same area.
The two schools shown are Coburg
Senior High School (Years 10 to 12)
and Preston Girls High School
Secondary schools closed down / merged in the Coburg area over the past 19 years:
• Moreland City College - closed 31 December 2004 - now Coburg Senior High
School – Years 10 to 12 only
• Coburg High School – closed 31 December 1993 - buildings demolished and site
awaiting permit approval for development
• Newlands High School - closed 19 December 1992 - buildings demolished, site now
part of Pentridge Prison development
• Coburg Technical School - now Coburg Special Development School
• Coburg North Secondary College closed on 19 December 1992
• Hadfield Secondary College – closed on 31 December 1992 - buildings
demolished, site now a retirement village
• Moreland High School – closed on 31 December 1991 - now Kangan Batman TAFE
• Oak Park Secondary School – closed 31 December 1992
• Moomba Park Secondary College, Glenroy High School, Glenroy Technical School,
Hadfield Secondary College and Oak Park Secondary College merged on 1
January 1993 to form Box Forest Secondary College
• Brunswick High School, Brunswick Technical School and Brunswick East High School
merged on 1 January 1993 to form Brunswick Secondary College
• St Joseph’s College – closed 31 Dec 2009
To interview Cate Hall or Morena Milani, founding members of HSC, for additional
population statistics, photo opportunities or more information, please contact:
Darren Saffin
0411 089 209