Norwest High School: Hills Shire Mayor Peter Gangemi raises concerns over plans for ‘vertical’ school in Norwest Business Park

Fresh plans have been lodged for a ‘vertical’ high school in one of Sydney’s fastest growing suburbs. But a local mayor continues to sound the alarm over the proposal.

Fresh plans for a ‘vertical’ high school in the heart of Norwest have once again come under scrutiny from Hills Shire Mayor Dr Peter Gangemi.

Earlier this year, a bold proposal for a high school with the capacity for 2000 students built at 3 Brookhollow Ave, Norwest, was lodged — and subsequently withdrawn — with the Department of Planning.

Now developer Dexus has submitted a fresh application, still for a ‘vertical’ high school catering up to 2000 students, but this time titled “Norwest High School Concept Proposal”.

The development would feature two buildings, standing up to nine and four storeys tall.

Mayor Gangemi has raised concerns with the application. He said while there is a need for more local schools to cater for the area’s booming population, Norwest was not the appropriate location for a new school.

“The Hills Shire is growing and that means more people, more children and the need for more local schools,” he said.

“While it’s great to see plans for a brand-new secondary school in the works, I do not believe that Norwest Business Park is the most appropriate location for this type of facility.”

Hills Shire Mayor Gangemi has raised concerns with the proposal.

The two central points Mayor Gangemi cited as reasons why the proposed location should change are Norwest’s growing stature as a business hub and traffic in the area.

“Norwest Business Park is a key strategic centre that is earmarked to accommodate substantial growth in business and commercial development in the foreseeable future,” he said.

“This area also provides jobs close to home for our residents, as well as a place to seek and utilise local services.”

Artist impression of the proposed Norwest High School from the original application lodged in February.

The new plans still outline a vision for a high school which could cater to 2000 students.

“I want to see our business community thriving and our region’s economic outlook sustainable, and that means retaining our business land.

“There’s also concerns about an increase in traffic that a school like this could generate and that it’s not located within walking distance of homes.”

Mayor Gangemi also said he hopes the state government will find a different location for a school “that will benefit this region’s interests and aspirations, and be a positive and safe environment to inspire young minds.”

However the developer’s plans paint a different picture of the need for a new school in Norwest.

“Norwest is positioned for significant growth … (and) The Hills population is expected to grow by 80 per cent between 2016 and 2036,” planning documents state.

“The current provision for schools within The Hills growth areas is inadequate leaving a shortfall of schools for future residents,” the documents state. “The lack of necessary school infrastructure … inadvertently inhibits the natural growth in jobs that would be expected in line with the population growth of the area.”

The Department of Planning could not be reached in time for comment.