Media Release

KILSYTH State Liberal MP David Hodgett has called on the State Government to give more money to Pembroke Secondary College to fund the next stage of the school's major redevelopment.

``This redevelopment work is essential for delivering students an optimal educational environment,'' Mr Hodgett said in Parliament last Thursday.

``The works so far have been great for the community and I am determined to ensure they are fully completed,'' he said.

Pembroke Secondary College Principal Aidan Ryan said the school was ``most grateful'' to the government for providing substantial funding last year for its rebuilding program.

In May 2009, the school received $10.4 million in the State Government's school renewal budget.

``It may seem churlish, in the circumstances, to ask for more but we must pursue funding of the second, and final, stage of rebuilding,'' Mr Ryan said.

Mr Ryan said it was vital that the college received the funding in the 2010 State Budget.

``The crux of the issue is that we need the second stage built before we can relinquish our Years 7 to 10 campus in Cambridge Rd and move to the new facilities at Reay Rd,'' Mr Ryan said.

``The second stage will probably take about one-and-a-half years to complete and at current work rate this will mean the earliest transition to the new second stage buildings will be late 2012.''

Mr Ryan said the school's master plan had always included the consolidation of the two Mooroolbark sites into one and the modernisation of the Mt Evelyn campus.

``Funding of the second stage will also be a great boost to the local community and will provide excellent modern facilities for our young people to learn in.''