Southern Autistic School

In 2021 we completed the first stage of the school’s redevelopment − a two-storey specialist learning and administration building.

Stage 2 is underway and will include a new library and canteen, as well as building and upgrading kindergarten areas. We expect to complete this by the end of Term 3, 2023.

Any further works will depend on future state budget funding.

Our highest priority is the safety of all students while they are at, or travelling to and from, school. As with all projects, we want to minimise any potential impacts on students and their families.

Our careful plans for site access will mean minimal disruptions to students during construction.

Construction will not affect student drop-off or pick-ups.

The school will develop a program to meet the needs and sensitivities of students and explain the next steps and changes involved in the upgrade. This will help familiarise students with the construction in a positive way.

The school will notify students’ families of the changes via the school newsletter and school website.

During construction, there will be no changes to the drop-off zone at the front of the school. Builders’ vehicles will not use the bus loop, and there will be no construction deliveries during drop off and pick up times.

The school will continue to communicate with parents and carers via the school newsletter, online and in-person about the designated times and locations for the different sections of the school. They will also remind staff about available parking in the King George Reserve.

We have consulted with the builders, Plan Group, on construction requirements. We are working with them and the school to minimise disruption to local residents, staff and the flow of school traffic, while ensuring the safety of all. Consistent with all school building projects, we are working with local authorities to develop a traffic management plan. The traffic management plan helps ensure construction is efficient, with less disruption and greater safety for pedestrians, local traffic and construction staff.

We listened to the community following Stage 1 of the project and in 2021 we worked with the Glen Eira City Council to mitigate parking concerns. As a result, some parking hours on Chesterville Road have been changed to 2h parking, limiting the use for non-residents and encouraging school staff to park in the King George Reserve.

We don’t expect construction to affect the flow of local traffic, but we understand construction will put some stress on the local parking. We always work with our builders and local authorities to plan for any foreseeable disruptions.

The construction team will enter the site via Margaretta Street or Leo Street, which is our only access to Southern Autistic School. Due to site limitations, and to keep the bus loop clear at all times, no parking will be available for builders on site.

The builders will use neighbourhood parking and must follow all local traffic and parking restrictions.

We have prioritised the student’s learning needs and that doesn’t leave space for more onsite parking. Staff will be encouraged to park in the nearby King George Reserve, where there is plenty of parking available. They will be reminded to follow all local traffic and parking restrictions.

Parents, carers and the community will be able to drive, ride or walk into the school as they do now − via Margaretta Street and Leo Street.

All construction hours will comply with Glen Eira City guidelines and the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) regulations. More information is available on the council’s website at www.gleneira.vic.gov.au/services/planning-and-building

If you have any concerns about traffic management at the school site during construction, please email us at vsba@education.vic.gov.au or phone 1800 896 950.

For local traffic matters outside of the school site, including out-of-hours parking, please contact Glen Eira City Council directly.

Residents close to the school were notified of construction works and upcoming project milestones in February 2022.

We will continue to update this page as the project progresses.