By Dongyun Kwon
The Yarra Ranges Council accepted the request for a review of the lease fee by Lyrebird College at the Tuesday 12 December council meeting.
By accepting the request, the college will have to spend less on the lease which can free up funds for student opportunities.
Ryrie Ward Councillor Fiona McAllister said a drop in the council’s financial ocean would make a huge difference to the lives of the children, their educators and families in the school.
“Lyrebird College is a special school for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and the name was chosen very deliberately because it’s not only the name of a native bird but it is a unique bird aligned with children and people with ASD; socially shy, difficult to see, and beautiful,” she said.
“So, the request from them is to amend the lease arrangement to apply a reduced community lease rate in line with their focus, as a school, which is not-for-profit status, and to enable them to invest, even if it is only a small amount of extra money backing the development of the school and the children in the community that they serve.
“Not a huge ask and wonderful for us to be able to continue to support what is a very special place in our community.”
In July 2019, Lyrebird College commenced a land-only lease on Council land at 12 Kelso Street in Coldstream following an extensive community consultative process culminating in a Council resolution to grant a 9-year lease, later extended to a 19-year lease in April 2021.
The use of the site was viewed as complementary to the existing facilities, which include a primary school, kindergarten, Maternal and Child Health facility and community hall, adding to the precinct’s education focus.
All buildings and other improvements on the site were constructed by the school, which remains entirely responsible for the full ongoing maintenance of those assets.
Lyrebird College has approached the Council seeking a review of the lease fee, with the aim of reducing overheads to ensure the ongoing financial viability of the service, and on the basis that the lease is for land only, which means that full responsibility for the construction and ongoing maintenance of all improvements on the site sits with the school.
Lyrebird College principal Julie Kugler said the discounted rent is greatly appreciated and would help them in their never-ending quest to make up the shortfall of funding to operate the school.
“The reduced lease fee will assist us in putting more money back directly into the programs and the education of the students,” she said.
“Our plan would continue to staff our school with a higher ratio of staff so that we can run more personalised learning.”
