Timeline for new Sydney schools in Box Hill, Gables, Tallawong, Schofields, Nirimba Fields on track

The next steps for several new Sydney schools slated to be built in rapidly growing areas have ‘not been compromised’ after a contract associated with the projects was suddenly axed. Here’s the latest.

Nirimba Fields Public School artist impression. Picture: Amanda Beck/NSW Government

The future of new schools slated for completion in some of Sydney’s fastest growing areas has been revealed after a government contract tied to the project was suddenly axed.

The $39m Manufacturing for Schools program promised to construct dozens of new, high-quality, sustainable schools in NSW in as little as 13 months saving taxpayers millions.

The project was described as something similar in fashion to flat-packed furniture, with a contract for a manufacturing partnership designed to connect with the building industry to supply a “kit of parts” for the new schools.

An artists impression of the permanent Nirimba Fields Public School. Students are currently at a temporary school on the same site. Artist impression is subject to change. Picture: Amanda Beck/NSW Government

Among the schools impacted by the program were the highly anticipated new primary and high schools for Box Hill and new primary school for neighbouring suburb Gables, a new high school for Tallawong and Schofields, as well as a new primary school for Nirimba Fields. They are expected to open as early as 2027.

Schofields Public School was also slated for an upgrade under the program.

The new and upgraded schools were chosen due to their suburbs experiencing mass population growth.

The manufacturing partnership contract, in line with the program, was awarded to Sydney building firm APP in February following an official open tender, but was recently cancelled.

A temporary classroom at Nirimba Fields Public School. Photo: NSW Government

A spokeswoman for Deputy Premier and Education Minister Prue Car said the department was still on track to deliver the program, which included through Modern Methods of Construction.

The spokeswoman said the manufacturing partnership contract was terminated when “issues were raised” and the department “(would) not compromise standards or delivery time frames”.

“The timely cancellation of that contract ensures delivery time frames and the integrity of the program are not compromised,” she said.

“Technical design work on new and upgraded schools is well underway and being prepared to go out to tender.”

A statement from APP’s Managing Executive Ben Hughes said the contract termination was a “disappointing decision” from the government.

Box Hill in Sydney’s North West where thousands of houses have been built and not much else. Picture: Jonathan Ng

“The APP Group has been informed that the decision to terminate was not based on performance and it’s our understanding the NSW Department of Education has chosen to pursue a different approach to project delivery,” the statement read.

“The NSW Department of Education has stated that ‘The APP Group has provided valuable input to date’.

“The APP Group has proudly been supporting school infrastructure delivery across New South Wales for more than 25 years and we remain committed to deploy our extensive capabilities to Schools Infrastructure NSW on future opportunities.”