Treasurer Michael O’Brien said money from land sales would build new schools, police stations and hospitals to handle Victoria’s growing population. 

‘‘Ten schools and six police stations have been flagged for sale this financial year,’’ Mr O’Brien said. 

‘‘If a school site has been closed by the former Labor government and it’s disused, we have a responsibility to make sure that it can be turned into something productive,’’ he said. 

The state budget promised 12 new schools and Mr O’Brien said the sale of unused land would contribute to the cost of building them. 

Hepburn Shire councillor Sebastian Klein confirmed the council had been notified of the old school site’s transfer from the Education Department to the Treasury. 

Many whispers and murmurs have been  doing the rounds of the community over the past months and there is  disappointment  that no community consultation has taken place ahead of the sale. 

‘‘I have a general opinion that it should be kept public until you find a use rather than sell them when you have a use,’’ Cr Klein said.

Anne Bremner said the site had been run down for years.

‘‘It used to be used as a school camp, but that hasn’t happened for many years,’’ she said.

‘‘It has now become an eyesore and safety hazard. 

‘‘[The sale] may be for the best unless someone is going to upkeep the site and keep it from  going derelict.’’ 

There has been some community interest in using the old school site as a State Emergency Service training facility.

The  possibility has also been raised of it being taken over by a community  management group, or another local school expanding into the site.

These discussions have sparked community interest in revitalising the site.