MLC School makes splash with $108m pool and performing arts centre application

A prestigious school’s plan to develop a new performing arts and sports centre has have been seized upon by public education advocates who claim the “over-funding” of private schools was being used to splash cash on vanity projects.

A prestigious Sydney private school has lodged a development application for a new performing arts and sports centre costing a staggering $108 million, including a new pool.

The “state significant development” has been lodged with Planning NSW by MLC School at Burwood – a school that receives millions from federal Government and charges parents up to $40,000 in fees.

Given it costs about $70 million to build a public school from scratch, public education advocates have seized on the application as evidence private schools are being over-funded.

The lodgement also comes ahead of a funding showdown with the federal Government later this month, with the Minns government joining other states in demanding the Commonwealth to double the level of extra cash it will pump into public schools.

The $108m application includes a performing arts and sports centre plus a new pool.

The February 23 meeting of education ministers is expected to be especially incendiary given one state – WA – accepted a deal for the federal Government to lift its funding share from 20 per cent to 22.5 per cent, less than the 25 per cent NSW and the other eastern states are seeking.

MLC School – whose alumni include former Liberal senator Marise Payne – prides itself on offering students a sports program catering to students up to an elite level, including in swimming and diving.

Architectural plans lodged with Planning NSW show the school wants to construct a new “two-four storeys” Performance Arts Centre (PAC) and Sports Complex (SC) and then expand its existing aquatic centre with a “two-three storeys” extension.

The new MLC Senior Centre opened in 2019. Picture: John Appleyard

The school already has a pool but will build a new one for learn to swim programs as part of the second phase of the development.

Over in Sydney’s eastern suburbs, Waverley College is awaiting final sign-off for a $120 million six-storey school building, a 124-space two storey carpark and eight new tennis courts to replace the existing ones.

The applications have been seized upon by public education advocates who claim the “over-funding” of private schools was enabling them to splash out on multimillion upgrades as the public sector scrounged for extra dollars.

Australia Education Union president Correna Haythorpe said the over-funding of private schools was allowing them to divert “tens of millions” of their income to “luxury facilities” and “vanity projects”.

“It is a never-ending battle to see who can build the most ostentatious facilities whether it is pools or performing arts centres or an $80 million library that looks like a Scottish castle,” she said.

“The Minns and Albanese governments need to strike a deal this year than ends the underfunding of public schools and delivers funding to build and upgrade public schools.

“We are not asking for Olympic pools and polo fields – just modern, safe classrooms, libraries and learning spaces where teachers can give every child the support they need to succeed.”

The Minns government allocated $70 million for a new school at Edmondson Park.

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