State Government moves to acquire land near Angle Vale for new northern super school
The site of a new public super-school for Adelaide’s booming north has been chosen. But it is nowhere near where most people thought it was going to be.
The State Government has begun compulsorily acquiring a market garden near Angle Vale to build a new school for infants to young adults.
A caveat has been placed by the Department of Education on the 14ha block on Riverbanks Rd to prevent its sale to any other party.
The caveat states the land is being acquired under the Land Acquisition Act for the “Northern School Site Project”.
The $261 million program was started by the previous Labor government to build three new “super schools” in the northern and southern suburbs and Whyalla.
The schools will be built and operated as public-private partnerships.
A site for the southern school already has been secured at Aldinga, with $6.5 million provided in the last State Budget for acquisition of land.
The search for a location for the northern school has been shrouded in secrecy for months, with speculation it was going to be located near the Northern Expressway at Munno Para West.
The chosen site is owned by a couple from one of the original Italian families which established market gardens, vineyards, olive groves and almond orchards at Angle Vale in the 1950s.
The caveat — lodged in May — stops the couple from selling the property to any other party.
They had 30 days to lodge objections to their land being compulsorily acquired.
The price being paid by the Government is not known.
The construction of a new super school comes as northern public high schools operate at capacity or near capacity. Several have waiting lists.
Many parents are choosing to send their children to the privately run Trinity College, which has 1600 students across five campuses.
Education Minister John Gardner said the new school would ease pressure on other northern high schools, such as Mark Oliphant College at Munno Para.
Mr Gardner said the “birth to Year 12” school would accommodate up to 1675 students, including 100 with disabilities. It also would have a 75-place children’s centre.
“Careful consideration has been given to the school’s location with respect to residential development and the significant population growth the north is experiencing,” he said.
“The new state-of-the-art school is good news for families in the local community.
“It will address population growth which otherwise would have placed enrolment pressure on surrounding schools.”
Mr Gardner said the school’s proximity to industry, defence and agriculture would enhance the range of opportunities students would have to engage with local businesses.
Its curriculum would focus on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) studies.
Mr Gardner said the Angle Vale site was selected following an extensive feasibility process by the State Government.
Playford mayor Glenn Docherty welcomed the news that a site had been chosen for the new super school.
“We’re looking forward to seeing the development of this critical education infrastructure for our residents,” he said
“Our growing population has one of the youngest age demographics in the state and the new school will be very much welcomed by our community.”
Concept designs are expected to be publicly available early next year after a private partner is chosen by the government later this year.
