"Devastating": Planning Minister approves school site on Lysterfield Green Wedge

A two-year battle between Green Wedge advocates and a Catholic education not-for-profit has come to an end, with the State Government approving a permit for a new permanent site for Lysterfield Lake College.

Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny announced the approval of the permit for the development at 19-23 Horswood Road in Narre Warren North on Monday, bringing a saga, which involved knockbacks from Casey Council and the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal, to a close.

Local resident and Green Wedges Coalition member Karen Cavanagh said the decision would act as a “devastating” precedent for further proposed development in other Green Wedge areas.

“We’re just so angry,” she told the Eastern Melburnian.

“This is quite a huge decision in many ways, indicating the government doesn’t really care about agricultural land.

“It’s all about build, build, and build more.”

The site is located within the western end of the Southern Ranges Green Wedge, meaning it required special consideration to minimise inappropriate development within agricultural land.

Ms Cavanagh said she believed the impacts of the development would be wide-reaching.

“Thousands of people will be extremely upset about this unbelievably stupid decision.

“The impact of traffic on Horswood Road, the impact on wildlife, putting children right next to a bushfire area… It doesn’t make sense.”

“Melbourne… will be unliveable in the future if it keeps going this way.”

The plans for the soon-to-be-built school included primary and secondary classrooms, a chapel, a hall, two sports grounds, basketball courts, orchards, a grass field for kangaroos, effluent fields, vineyards, wetlands, landscaping areas, and a total of 121 car spaces, three bus parking bays and 60 bicycle parking spaces.

A spokesperson from the school said the school community welcomed the announcement of a permanent site.

“A permanent location for the school has been a top priority since the school was opened in 2022,” the spokesperson told the Eastern Melburnian.

“We are currently a single-stream Year 3 to Year 7 school and will become a Year 3 to 8 school next year.

“It is our plan to be a Year 12 school by 2029.”

“We will work closely with the relevant bodies to ensure fulfilment of the conditions applied by the permit,” the spokesperson said.

“We are grateful for the commitment and dedication of all who have supported and assisted us throughout our journey to secure a permanent site for the school.

“This decision ensures we will be able to continue to service the community of parents who value the school’s approach to education for their sons.”

The Eastern Melburnian has contacted the Planning Minister for comment.

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