Is Bacchus Marsh Grammar stretching the truth in 'The Age' story?

The Age tells our story but is Bacchus Marsh Grammar stretching the truth?

Yesterday 'The Age' published this story: ‘Middle of nowhere’: Fears private primary school would overwhelm farming hamlet. Overall it was a good story that reflected the views of many in the Staughton Vale | Anakie region.  We DO have genuine fears of being overwhelmed by the dramatic expansion of this school that will do nothing good for the local community!

But the quotes attributed to the Bacchus Marsh Grammar principal Debra Ogston suggested that the Grammar had followed standard process.  She is quoted as saying,  "As part of this process, members of the community have the opportunity to consider the proposal and make submissions before a decision is made by the responsible authority."

We have not had adequate time to make submissions on the proposed overdevelopment of the Staughton Vale campus - we only heard about it in mid July yet the original application was made on 17th February. Why did it take so long to reach our community?

We also know that Ms Ogston may be stretching the truth when she suggests that the proposal went  through the 'responsible authority'.  The traditional responsible authority is the City of Greater Geelong (CoGG) but Bacchus Marsh Grammar bypassed our Council and went direct to the Minister for Planning using new fast track laws that allow the Minister to bypass normal community and Council processes.

Bypassed VCAT 'staging' decision

We also wonder if Ms Ogstan has forgotten that the new fast track law also bypasses the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) which, back in 2015, told Bacchus Marsh Grammar it must not 'stage' future expansions to the campus.  Read more about that on our About Us page here: About the Staughton Vale | Anakie Action Group

450 students not 300

The Age intro may be a little confusing. For clarity, the proposed Bacchus Marsh Grammar expansion is for 300 students which is additional to the 150 students already using the site.  This means that if the proposal is approved, 450 students will be ferried by buses into and away from the Staughton Vale campus each day.

You can read more about the background to the fast track laws in our story: Residents opposed to Bacchus Marsh Grammar expansion

Congratulations to community members for raising our concerns with The Age (you know who you are!)

Big thankyou to the folks who turned out last Friday for the The Age photo shoot - there were quite a few more than you see in The Age

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What you can do - these actions make a difference

1. One of the most effective actions to take is to call or email our local State Member, Ella George, and express your concerns:
   Tel: 5275 3898   Email: ella.george@parliament.vic.gov.au
2. We have been told by the Department of Planning that the submissions can be made via email to development.assessment@transport.vic.gov.au
3. Email Hon. Sonya Kilkenny, Minister for Planning
email: sonya.kilkenny@parliament.vic.gov.au

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More Info

Please check out our About Us page for more information about the 11 year background to stop the over-development of the Bacchus Marsh Grammar campus on Staughton Vale Road

Thankyou everyone for your support!