Petition launched for Papamoa College

A petition was launched today urging the Government to start construction work on a high school in Papamoa, a small township southeast of Tauranga.

Bay of Plenty MP Tony Ryall said today the "highschoolNOW" petition would put more pressure on the Government to start building.

Last year the Ministry of Education bought the site for the new school, a 7.4ha block of land behind the northern boundary of Gordon Spratt Reserve.

Mr Ryall said the petition asked the Government to commit to a high school in Papamoa, fund construction in this year's budget, and take enrolments in 2002.

Every household in Papamoa will receive a postcard copy of the petition, which can be returned freepost to Parliament. It would also be available at many local schools and shops.

Mr Ryall said it would be sent to Parliament in three to four weeks.

Earlier this year Ministry of Education district property manager Derek Devoy said the new secondary school could open its doors in three to five years.

Mr Devoy said originally the new college was part of the ministry's five to 10 year planning projection but due to the rapid growth in Papamoa its opening was likely to be sooner rather than later.

The population in Papamoa is expected to leap 75 percent by 2010 - from 27,000 now to about 47,000.

- BAY OF PLENTY TIMES