School engagement concluded

The community engagement phase of the new Docklands primary school has concluded and architects will now be briefed about developing a master plan.

The Victorian School Building Authority (VSBA) conducted focus groups and consultation sessions in Docklands until May 22. Community members could also comment on VSBA’s website.

According to the Department of Education, hundreds of local families were spoken to and 1400 people visited VSBA’s engagement website. More than 100 people completed the in-depth survey and 50 attended community workshops.

A Department of Education spokesperson said the engagement process would give the community the opportunity to have its voice heard.

“We’re making sure we are engaging with the community to ensure local families have their say on the education framework and design of the new Docklands Primary School, as well as the needs of the broader school precinct,” the spokesperson said.

“We will now collate and analyse this feedback so it can help shape the design and education framework of this exciting new school project.”

Information gathered will be given to Cox Architecture to guide the development of a master plan.

The master plan, which provides an overall plan of how the school will sit on the site, is expected to be finalised in July.

The VSBA said, while a new primary school was the priority, it was also committed to increasing available secondary school places near Docklands and across inner Melbourne.

A secondary school will be built in Fishermans Bend and work has started on the new Prahran High School.