THE fight to stop Bendigo Senior Secondary College moving into and developing on the site of the city’s historic jail has stepped up a gear.

The Friends of the old Bendigo Gaol has been formed to oppose the move and to raise awareness of the historical value of the jail.

Central to its argument is that the jail should be spared for community use.

The group is made up of other smaller community groups who already use the jail, including the Independent Muso’s Network, Future Connections, the Bendigo Lions Club and the Bendigo Adult Community Education cluster.

All these groups will be evicted if the school gets state government approval to build in the jail grounds and develop some of its buildings on the site.

Friends spokesperson Anita Donlon said the group was frightened the jail would be damaged or lost forever if the school moved in.

"It is just ludicrous," she said.

"If the school takes over they are looking at wrecking the place.

"Going by the plans they are not going to preserve what they should or adhere to the heritage requirements."

Ms Donlon said the jail should be preserved and available for the entire community.

"If the school gets hold of it, it will lock everyone else out," she said.

"The key message is let it be in the hands of the whole community, not just one part of it.

"It is incredible. Imagine the scope we could have with a little bit of collaboration.

"It would be a lot more achievable on a long-term basis than the school getting hold of it."

BSSC principal Dale Pearce was unavailable for comment.

To visit the Friends of the old Bendigo Gaol website, go to www.bendigogaol.com

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