Ella George : positive response to our concerns

Not resisting change but ensuring development is suitable for our community

Local Member commits to acting on school expansion proposal

In a recent letter to the Staughton Vale | Anakie Action Group our local Member for Lara, Ella George, said this: "The community’s voice is vital in this matter, and I am committed to ensuring it is heard."

At a special meeting held on Tuesday 18th August Ms George was asked many questions about the proposed school expansion. She answered some of them and said she would get answers to questions she could not answer at the time.

She also offered to try and arrange a meeting between Bacchus Marsh Grammar and local residents to be held on our terms including a location and event decided by us. Ella will be at the meeting.  She is also asking representatives from CoGG and the Department of Transport and Planning to attend the meeting.  

There is currently no date set for the meeting but a tentative date may be 30 September.  We will notify you if Ella is successful.

Here's Ella's letter

Hello everyone 

I would like to thank everyone for attending the recent community meeting to discuss concerns regarding Ministerial permit PA2604229 from Bacchus Marsh Grammar to build a 450-student private primary school at 155 Staughton Vale Road.

 

Thank you also to Michael and Kristy for showing me around and helping me understand the community’s concerns in a direct and practical way before the meeting.

 

The meeting reiterated to me that the community has genuine concerns about many aspects of this proposal, especially its safety and suitability. This is not about resisting change or growth, but about ensuring that any development is suitable and appropriate for our community. The community’s voice is vital in this matter, and I am committed to ensuring it is heard.

 

As I mentioned at the meeting, I am committed to advocating on behalf of our community. Following our meeting I also raised this matter in Parliament. The transcript of this contribution can be found here.

 

In addition, following our meeting, I committed to the following actions:

1. Write to the Minister for Planning, the Hon. Sonya Kilkenny, to outline the community’s concerns about the proposal—especially regarding bushfire risk, alignment with the local planning scheme amendments, and the need for clearer information.
2. Request responses from the Minister to the questions provided to me before the meeting.
3. Write to the Mayor of the City of Greater Geelong, seeking clarification of Council’s position on the proposal and what steps they will take to advocate for the community.
4. Contact Bacchus Marsh Grammar CEO, Andrew Neal, and request a meeting with the community.
5. Invite representatives from local Council and the Department of Transport and Planning to attend this meeting.

 I will share any responses I receive with the group.

 

As always, if you have any further thoughts or suggestions about this or any other local matter, please contact me or my office.

 

Kind regards,
Ella

 

Ella George MP

State Member for Lara

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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!