A new non-government primary school has moved a step closer to opening in Shepparton after a planning permit was officially approved for a site at 1–3 Gloucester Crescent. The decision allows the development of a new educational facility designed to accommodate up to 150 students from Prep to Year 5, expanding schooling options for families in the region.
The approved development will be located on land adjacent to Gowrie Street Primary School, a site that was previously occupied by St David's Church. The planning permit authorises the land to be used as a primary school and also includes approval for associated infrastructure such as a bin storage area and business signage.
According to the permit conditions, the school will employ 12 staff members and operate during standard school hours from 8:30am to 3:00pm, Monday to Friday. In addition, an outside-school-hours care program has been approved to run from 7:00am until 5:30pm, providing additional support for working families.
To manage outdoor activity and reduce congestion, students will be divided into two groups during recess and lunch breaks. This arrangement will ensure that no more than 85 students are using the outdoor play areas at the same time, helping to improve supervision and minimise impacts on neighbouring properties.
The proposal attracted considerable community interest during the planning process. Before approval was granted, the application received 16 formal objections from nearby residents and stakeholders. Concerns raised reportedly included traffic management, parking, neighbourhood amenity and the potential impact of increased activity within the surrounding residential area. Despite these objections, the planning authority determined that the proposal met the relevant planning requirements and issued the permit.
