Camden Council calls to fast-track schools

Camden Council are calling for much-needed school infrastructure to be fast-tracked, as an attempt to combat the region’s spiralling growth.

Camden councillors are pushing to fast-track construction of education infrastructure.

• Plans for Gledswood Hills primary school
• Macarthur region’s education transformation

Camden Council are urging for school infrastructure to be fast-tracked as an attempt to combat the region’s spiralling growth.

Camden Liberal deputy mayor Therese Fedeli called for Gledswood Hills’ proposed primary school to be at its final capacity from day one.

An artist’s impression of the proposed Gledswood Hills primary school expected to be completed in 2020.

Gledswood Hills primary school is proposed to be constructed in two stages - with stage one to be suitable for 600 students and stage two 1000 students.

“Lets get it right now rather than all the trouble we will have in two years,” said Cr Fedeli.

Cr Therese Fedeli is advocating for construction of the proposed Gledswood Hills primary school to be fast-tracked.

Camden Liberal mayor Lara Symkowiak also supported the fast-track of school infrastructure, admitting it is a “wise” request considering the region’s exceptional growth.

“I think the Department probably have been caught short with the amount of growth out here,” she said.

Camden mayor Lara Symkowiak is supporting more investment and funding for school’s in Camden LGA. Picture: Angelo Velardo.

“What we know is those numbers are increasing proportionally faster every day.

“Basically, every suburb will need their own school at minimum. Of course, the more investment and funding for schools out here the better — Council will always advocate for that.”

The push for swift construction of school infrastructure follows revelations Oran Park Public School is currently at 150 per cent capacity, less than five years after first opening.

Construction taking place on St Gregory’s College junior school in 2017. Picture: Angelo Velardo.

Camden councillors unanimously endorsed the submission to the Department of Education to fast-track complete delivery of Gledswood Hills primary school

Camden State MP Chris Patterson said he has complete confidence the region will have adequate education infrastructure to handle the growth.

“We are having more schools built in this electorate than any other in NSW. There is more money being spent on schools than any other. There is only a limited pot of money,” he said.

An artist’s impression of the 2000-capacity Oran Park High School.

“All new estates that are being developed all have potential school sites.

“The expansion of Oran Park Public School and construction of Gledswood Hills are the first step as they are deemed the most pressing.”

Camden Liberal MP Chris Patterson at the site of Oran Park High School.

Mr Patterson cautioned homebuyers to be wary of promises about new schools from developers.

“A big problem we have, and I wish I had a dollar every time I hear this, is “the developer said we will have a school next year”,” he said.

“Schools have been proven as a number one selling point — people need to check with Council of the government for the accurate time frames.”