SUNSHINE residents have thrown down the gauntlet to the State Government, warning it to keep its hands off Sunvale, or risk a public outcry.

Outraged by rumours the former school site could be seized for social housing, residents have planned a public rally at Sunvale next month to save it from the bulldozer.

Sunshine Residents and Ratepayers Association (SunRRA) president Darlene Reilly said the community was concerned by reports VicUrban had put in a bid for the site and would be fighting “tooth and nail” to keep Sunvale for the community.

Residents plan to take over the derelict school grounds on 3 October to protest against plans to install housing at the site.

Ms Reilly said the community would never surrender Sunvale, believing it should be transformed into a park for Brimbank’s children.

“Sunvale is heating up,” Ms Reilly said.

“It is an iconic site for our community and we’re not going to give it up without a fight.”

The Education Department and VicUrban have so refused to confirm or deny the rumours, but residents fear the land - which is one of the few remaining parcels of open space in Sunshine - could be sacrificed to swell the suburb’s social housing stock.

Sunshine resident John Hedditch said Sunvale could hold the key to addressing the chronic lack of open space in the area.

“This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to undo some of the errors of the past and provide for the future of the children of this area,” Mr Hedditch said.

“We’re only going to get one opportunity and the community are not going to give Sunvale up without a fight.”