Heritage Hangars Site Eyed For New School

In short:

A draft planning amendment proposes rezoning a heritage hangar site in Riverwalk Werribee to allow a new non-government school. The plan has prompted both support and concern from locals as consultation opens for public feedback.

Wyndham Advertiser

Planning amendment opens door to new Riverwalk school

The Minister for Planning is considering a draft planning scheme amendment that could bring a new non-government school to the Riverwalk Estate in Werribee — on land currently occupied by two heritage-listed RAAF hangars.

Known as Amendment C281wynd, the proposal would rezone a six-hectare Melbourne Water–owned parcel at 15 Geelong Road from Public Use Zone to General Residential Zone – Schedule 1. This rezoning would allow a school to be developed on the site, in accordance with the approved Riverwalk Development Plan.

The site includes two buildings on the Victorian Heritage Register, linked to the former Werribee Satellite Aerodrome. The amendment does not propose any changes to their heritage protections, meaning future school development must incorporate or work around the structures unless formal approvals are granted to relocate or adapt them.

To ensure environmental safety due to the site’s past use as an RAAF hangar and possible contamination, an Environmental Audit Overlay is proposed. This would require an environmental audit before any sensitive uses — such as school buildings — can proceed.

The Development Plan Overlay would also be updated from Schedule 2 (Future Development Areas) to Schedule 16, specifically aligning the site with the broader Riverwalk plan. The land sits adjacent to newly developed housing and has long been earmarked for educational use.

Consultation is being undertaken under section 20(5) of the Planning and Environment Act 1987. A Department of Transport and Planning spokesperson said:

“This consultation process is an important step in the decision-making process for this proposed amendment and planning permit. We want to ensure that all parties have the opportunity to have their voices heard.”

Community response has been mixed. While some locals welcome the addition of more education options, others have raised concerns about traffic impacts and infrastructure strain. The site is also within a Bushfire Prone Area, but development is expected to reduce risk and could lead to its removal from BPA designation.

The draft amendment can be viewed online at www.planning.vic.gov.au/public-inspection or in person at Wyndham City Council. Feedback and submissions can be directed to development.assessment@transport.vic.gov.au.