Campaigning for schools - Labor candidate launches education petition

Woodend Primary School principal, Andy Kozak, and Labor candidate for Bendigo, Lisa Chesters with her petition. Photo: Chris Fleming

Labor candidate for Bendigo, Lisa Chesters visited Woodend Primary School last week to launch her 'Macedon Ranges supports Fairer Funding for our Schools' campaign.

Ms Chesters said the Federal Labor government has put on the table millions of dollars for Macedon Ranges schools that deserve and need this funding to help ensure our kids get the best education for the best start in life. 

"Right now, the Liberal State Government and Federal Opposition are refusing to back the plan," Ms Chesters said. 

"Under Labor's National Plan for School Improvement, Victorian schools would benefit from an extra $4 billion, or about $1.8 million per school on average, over the next six years. 

"With one in 12 students not reaching minimum education standards, this is money that Macedon Ranges schools like Woodend Primary School need, and need right now."

Ms Chesters said that under Labor's plan all schools would be funded through a fairer system which is based on the needs of individual students and provides extra, targeted support for schools and students who need it most.

"Liberal State Premier Denis Napthine's decision not to invest in education is devastating for central Victorian schools, parents and children.

"Instead of putting Victorian schools first, Denis Napthine has turned his back on our students and resorted to slashing vital education funding.

"That's why we're launching this campaign. 

We are calling on Premier Napthine to follow the example of his NSW colleague, Premier Barry O'Farrell, and sign up to our plan to deliver a better deal for Victorian schools.

"The Federal Government has put a fair deal on the table for Mr Napthine - offering to invest two dollars for every extra one dollar they put in. This would ensure all schools get the funding they need to deliver the best education.

"Now it is up to everyone in the Macedon Ranges to get behind this campaign and demonstrate to the State and Federal Liberals that we support the National Plan for School Improvement and that Bendigo wants the funding that is on the table for our achools."

An online petition supporting the plan can be signed by visiting Ms Chesters' Facebook page facebook.com/lisachestersbendigo and clicking the link.

What is your ideal Woodend in 2030?

More than 100 Woodend residents braved the first signs of winter last week to attend a community workshop hosted by Macedon Ranges Shire Council and consultants, Planisphere, to discuss the Woodend Town Structure Plan.

Woodend community members attend a workshop to discuss the Woodend Town Structure Plan last week.

The workshop gave attendees an opportunity to consider a discussion paper in preparing the town's future structure plan and to consider the question: What is my ideal Woodend in 2030?

"The room was filled with energy and passion and we were joined by two of our three ward councillors, council officers and a representative from the CFA, to consider what we want for the future of Woodend," said community reference group member, Andrew Wilson-Annan.

Mr Wilson-Annan said one of the key points most attendees agreed on was a desire for continued low growth.

"People who live in Woodend do not all work in Melbourne. Many work in Woodend itself, while others work in regional Victoria - Woodend is more than an outer suburb," Mr Wilson-Annan said.

"In the 15 years to 2006, Woodend grew 0.6 per cent per year - that's eight extra houses per year. More recently the stats tell us that we grew 1.5 per cent in the last five years to the 2011 population of 3,414 - an extra 21 houses per year which has been accommodated by infill and small subdivision developments.

"At the town meeting, the vast majority of people wanted to retain our historical growth and they were fully aware of the consequences of that preference - Woodend may not get a new aquatic centre or a secondary school, that's part of the deal of wanting to retain the village atmosphere, while other resources are available in nearby towns.

Another community reference group member, Miranda Bain, said the Woodend township is "the golden egg of the Macedon Ranges and should remain the tourist attraction that it is with its four sister towns of Gisborne, Riddells Creek, Romsey and Kyneton absorbing the growth and happy to be service towns".

"The town, because of its unique village atmosphere and speciality shops, is a drawcard for tourists and visitors in the region who come to the town to enjoy our warmth and charm that only comes from being a village," Ms Bain said.

MRSC director of planning and environment, Sophie Segafredo said council was delighted with the number of people who attended the workshop and with the contributions that individuals and groups made.

"The notes and feedback received will make a valuable contribution to the preparation of the draft plan, which is the next stage of the project," Ms Segafredo said.

The project team will now commence the preparation of a draft structure plan and neighbourhood character study. It is anticipated that the draft structure plan and neighbourhood character study will be released for public comment in July or August 2013.

Council will accept comments on the discussion paper up to April 30. To view the discussion paper visit www.mrsc.vic.gov.au or drop in to one of council's service centres. Comments should be sent to David Nevin, Macedon Ranges Shire Council, PO Box 151, Kyneton VIC 3444 or emailed to strategicplanning@mrsc.vic.gov.au