HUME Anglican Grammar staff and students celebrated an important win last week when Hume Council approved a planning permit for the Craigieburn-based school to be built on the historic Mt Ridley estate at Mickleham.
The council meeting on Monday last week was one of the most well attended in Hume's history as dozens of school families, residents and staff descended on the Broadmeadows council chamber to hear the decision.
There were 37 objections, including a 101-signature petition.
Principal Andrew Mackenzie said the school was now "all systems go" to build on the heritage-listed site, which features the 160-year-old Mt Ridley homestead, coach houses and other outbuildings.
Founded last year, Hume Anglican Grammar has been operating from Dorchester Drive in Craigieburn, with about 140 students from prep to year 9.
The new school will have room for about 1230 students from prep-12 and is the area's first independent school.
Mr Mackenzie said the Mt Ridley estate would be properly looked after and cherished by the school.
"It's an icon in the Craigieburn community and it's been in private hands all these years - now it will be used sensitively by the school to teach kids and provide study options and remind people of the heritage that exists in Craigieburn.
"It is a huge responsibility and we will maintain the buildings - it's also a big issue for us to be good neighbours. We've worked closely with them and some are still grumbling but I want to assure them that we will work hard to maintain their privacy."
Foundation parent of Hume Anglican Grammar School Melissa Hobb said she chose the school because it was one of the most affordable with Christian values that she reinforced at home.
"This is a school that will service the area for many years to come."
Another parent, Deborah Humphrey, agreed the decision was "long overdue" and very welcome.
Craigieburn Historical Interest Group member Mary Perry said she appreciated that the council had consulted with her group on the matter.
"We want to protect and maintain Craigieburn's heritage."
However, Heritage Way resident John Sher objected to Hume Council's interpretation of the impact the new buildings would have on the vista and environment of the property.
"Council's interpretation is completely out of order," he said.
Mt Ridley Road resident Peter Hewitt was also against the proposal, saying that when he bought his home to retire on there were no plans for a school.
"We would not have bought there if we had known before."
Town planner and resident Anthony said with sentimentality aside, the facts showed the Mt Ridley site was not a good option for the school.
He said the proposed development "fails" for residential or agricultural use because this does not protect the land based on "sustainable land management practices".
"Mt Ridley Road is a dangerous place to walk - has traffic been investigated by anyone other than a paid consultant?
"I think the council should refuse the application; it is not for our area."
Cr Drew Jessop said there were a variety of issues the residents were "rightly upset" about.
"In terms of road access they are drawing from the Aitken College experience. You can't ride bikes up the hill either - it won't be possible or safe. And any litter blowing from the site will roar through from the top of the hill."
Mayor Jack Ogilvie was against the proposal but said he was not against the school itself.
"Kids won't ride bikes there - mums will have to drop them off. So I feel for the people living next to the school, they didn't know what they were in for when they built - it's not a kindergarten, there will be 12,000 people accessing the school.
"And the impact on the hilltop itself is a concern."
Cr Geoff Porter said the educational facilities were very important for the community but that more consultation on this proposal was required.
All voted in favour of the proposal except Mayor Ogilvie.
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