The City of Moonee Valley Council has welcomed the announcement of new secondary school zone boundaries for Avondale Heights, which it says will enable secondary students from the suburb to attend schools in their own municipality from next year.
Victorian Minister for Education and Deputy Premier, Ben Carroll, last week released an updated map of school boundaries for 2025. Among the 25 school zone changes announced was a redrawing of the southern boundary of the Avondale Heights zoning.
Under the previous zoning, many Avondale Heights students were zoned to Braybrook Secondary College or Sunshine College, both in the City of Maribyrnong.
Council says routes to these schools were indirect and difficult, requiring students to travel around the Maribyrnong River, which added to road congestion and lengthy, more dangerous commutes.
Mayor, Pierce Tyson said the rezoning was “a life-changing win” for Avondale Heights secondary students and their families.
“These students can now not only look forward to a quicker commute to and from school, they can also choose a greener commute, with walking and riding now valid options for them,” Mayor Tyson said.
Under the rezoning, 2025 Avondale Heights students will have the options to attend either Essendon Keilor College or Rosehill Secondary College, both in the City of Moonee Valley.
As part of the Council’s long-term strategy, MV2040, the Council sought to ensure all residents could use active and sustainable transport options, such as walking or riding to school.