Local says no community benefit from a 'fly in fly out' school

Caz says Bacchus Marsh Grammar expansion akin to a fly-in fly-out mining operation

Interviews with Locals: Caz Bartholomew

Lewis chats with Caz at her home beside Staughton Vale Road. With a background working in private schools, she knows how they work and is strongly opposed to the proposed expansion of Bacchus Marsh Grammar at Staughton Vale.

"I'm very pro-school, and I think if things were different and this was an urban area, I would be all keen for the school to be there," she says. "But this is not an appropriate place for that school."

Caz condemns the Grammar's lack of interest in our region. "In over the 10 years Bacchus Marsh Grammar has been using the Staughton Vale site, it's had no involvement with the community," she says. (read the back story here)

She's upset that the school is treating the region like a remote mining operation: "They just bus themselves in and bus themselves out; it's almost like a fly-in, fly-out type situation."

She also feels that the expansion of the campus "is not in keeping with the area at all". Having been involved in the community outcry that quashed the original development proposal on the site back in 2015, Caz thought there would never be any further attempts to expand the school. But she and the community were stunned to discover an anonymous Facebook post in mid-July this year about the proposed expansion.

"Letters weren't sent out to people or neighbours; the whole thing was kept quiet," she says. "From day one, there's been secrecy and conflicting information about what they're planning to do."

Watch the video by clicking here or click on the picture above.

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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!