Candidate says “corners being cut” at Picton High School

A Wollondilly state election candidate has criticised the poor planning of the $100 million Picton High School redevelopment, declaring students are being put at risk.

• The Macarthur region’s top FIVE crime stories
• Deadly road listed on priority infrastructure list

A Wollondilly state election candidate has criticised the poor planning of the $100 million Picton High School redevelopment, declaring students are being put at risk.

An artist’s impression of the $100 million Picton High School redevelopment.

Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party candidate Jason Bolwell said he had received countless phone calls from both teachers and parents, all concerned with the project.

“It is unbelievable that the Government would initiate such a major redevelopment with very poor planning at such a high risk to the students,” Mr Bolwell said.

“Corners are being cut and I am receiving phone call after phone call from concerned teachers and parents about student access.”

Shooters Fishers and Farmers Party Wollondilly candidate Jason Bolwell.

Mr Bolwell said in a press release a major concern was the Wonga Rd gravel path entry to the “new pop-up demountable high school”. The entry is 10m from an old tip site.

“A number of the students that attend the high school have special needs and impairments so walking distances is not an option; the access is simply not suitable,” Mr Bolwell said.

“The money spent on the demountable school could have been put into the development of the proposed Wilton high school.”

The Picton High School redevelopment is due to be complete in 2022.

In light of community concerns, Wollondilly Council has decided to close access to the unformed section of Wonga Rd.

A gate, left open without council approval, had allowed general access to the section of the road, which is in the vicinity of the old tip.

Wollondilly Mayor Matthew Deeth.

Wollondilly Mayor Matthew Deeth said council shared community concerns surrounding the Picton High School redevelopment.

“Council was not the consent authority for the development and we have been expressing concerns for two years regarding the management of the construction and then the operational phases,” he said.

“We are continuing to work with both the school and the Department of Education to try and resolve the safety issues that we have raised.”

A NSW Department of Education spokesman said student welfare and wellbeing were the department’s highest priorities.

“Following construction of the temporary school, the primary access point for Picton High School students remains via existing entrances on Argyle St, with an entrance path leading from the designated ‘kiss & ride’ area to the temporary school,” he said.

“To assist with the transitional arrangements associated with new access to the support unit classrooms, traffic control is provided at the existing school exit on Wonga Rd.

“School Infrastructure NSW will continue to work with the local council and the school to address any issues during the construction period.”

The redeveloped Picton High School is due to be complete in 2022.