Fort St Public School: Sydney’s oldest school to get $53m facelift

The fate of a plan to expand and upgrade Sydney’s oldest school has been decided by the NSW Government. SEE THE PLANS AND THE DECISION HERE.

Fort St Public in Sydney.

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A $53 million plan expected to transform one of Sydney’s oldest schools at the heart of the CBD has been approved by the NSW Planning Department.

The redevelopment of Fort St Public School in Millers Point will almost double its capacity to 391 students and create hundreds of jobs as part of the NSW Government’s Planning System Acceleration Program.

What the upgrade will look like.

NSW Schools Infrastructure revealed the plans for the major upgrade of the Sydney school in May 2019, which is expected to see 20 new teachers joining one of Australia’s oldest Schools.

“Its expansion and redevelopment will provide better teaching and learning facilities for students and teachers, as well as providing new and improved open space,” Planning Minister Rob Stokes told NewsLocal.

“The project includes the refurbishment of important heritage buildings such as the Fort Street Public School itself, the Bureau of Meteorology (Met) Building, and the Messenger’s Cottage.

New three storey classroom buildings at Fort St.

“It will also provide new open spaces for students to enjoy, including a new amphitheatre and central plaza as well as new roof gardens on top of the new southern buildings and the existing Met Building.”

The redevelopment includes a proposal to expand classroom facilities with the addition of three storeys, the refurbishment and fit out of the Bureau of Meteorology building for uses as a school building, and the construction of a series of new one- to three-storey buildings featuring a new Environmental Education Centre, classrooms and canteen.

the $53 million upgrade includes new classroom facilities and other learning spaces.

Education Minister Sarah Mitchell said the expansion of Fort Street Public School is “critical to ensuring long-term primary school demand is met in Sydney”.