The Maiden Gully site for the proposed Marist Brothers school. Picture: Jim Aldersey
THE City of Greater Bendigo will consider a planning amendment for a proposed Catholic school in Maiden Gully at its meeting on Wednesday night.
The amendment proposes land to be rezoned at Patas Road and Golf Links Road in Maiden Gully to allow for the development of a new Marist Brothers Catholic school.
A report tabled to council has recommended council approve the amendment for the private school, which will offer from prep to VCE. No objections have been received.
It is expected the development will create new jobs, private education opportunities and public open space in an area identified for future population growth.
The Marist Brothers announced in August 2011 they would open a stand alone Catholic school, with Catholic College Bendigo’s governors, the Sandhurst Diocese, the Sisters of Mercy and Marist Brothers unanimously recommending to the Bishop’s office the need for a second Catholic secondary college in Bendigo.
Construction is expected to start and finish in 2014.
Councillors will also consider a report recommending the Long Gully pool close on Wednesday night.
A decision was made to permanently close the Long Gully pool in November 2012 and to allocate money to a new Water Splash Play Park at the Long Gully Recreation Reserve instead.
A petition with more than 1000 signatures protesting the closure of the pool reignited the debate with another report on the condition of the pool prepared for council.
City of Greater Bendigo manager of active and healthy communities Patrick Jess said it was still recommended the pool close.
“It is not possible to support reopening Long Gully pool given the competing demands on council’s finite resources and two large-scale aquatic facilities located within 4.1km of the site offering a far better service,” Mr Jess said.
“Long Gully pool closed more times that it was open last season and failed a number of compliance tests.
“The pool is a significant public health and safety risk and multiple independent tests during the 2011/12 season revealed high bacteria levels.”
