The future home of Bandiana Primary School remains clouded as the Australian Department of Defence presses ahead with plans to use the site for other purposes.
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The current lease agreement between Defence and the Victorian government expires midway through 2023, but 2022 will be the final year students can attend the school on its present site.
Even though the state government first flagged building a new school in nearby Leneva two years ago, no site has been purchased and time is running out to build a replacement school for Bandiana by the start of the 2023 school year.
The Border Mail has been shown a letter written by Defence Industry Minister Melissa Price earlier this year stating when a 10-year lease extension was signed in 2013, there was "no option for renewal" and the Victorian Department of Education and Training advised Defence it "intended to explore alternatives for the school post-2023".
Defence presently has five sites in Albury-Wodonga including north, south and east Bandiana and Latchford Barracks in Wodonga, but wants to consolidate the sites to partly reduce costs.
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The move includes relocating functions from North Bandiana and Latchford Barracks to south and east Bandiana.
The Bandiana school is located in South Bandiana.
Wodonga councillor Ron Mildren, who is seeking re-election this month, wants to see action on finding another site for the school.
"Time is running out to build a new school, with under two years remaining before eviction," he said.
"The Bandiana-Killara-Bonegilla corridor is one the of the fastest growth areas in Wodonga.
"Killara is now home to 1500 residents, and once Riverside Estate is complete, will house over 6000 residents.
"A growing community should not fear schools closing and families should not have to worry about finding a new primary school for their young children."
A Victorian government spokesperson said: "Bandiana Primary School currently operates from a site licensed from the Department of Defence.
"The department is actively working with the Department of Defence to ensure that the education needs of Wodonga students continue to be met."
The Border Mail attempted to seek comment from school principal Donna Wright.
Meanwhile, Defence has identified several parcels of land near Latchford Barracks being considered for divestment in the foreseeable future.
Cr Mildren said a positive strategic outcome could involve creating a P-12 school in the area combining the student populations of Bandiana Primary School and Wodonga Middle Years College Huon Campus.
"I have heard from families, teachers and students at Wodonga Middle Years College Huon Campus that facilities are not up to scratch," he said.
"The building is riddled with asbestos and water pours through the ceiling when it rains.
"We need a forward-looking solution to address this ticking time bomb.
"I propose a new school be built on the soon to be divested Defence land.
"The 400-plus students at Bandiana Primary School and hundreds more families establishing in the area have an uncertain future.
"Two more school years of lease left to run before disruption and a squeeze into other Wodonga primary schools."
