Planning proposal for Minarah College at Catherine Field on public exhibition

Plans for a co-educational Kindergarten to Year 12 school at Catherine Field are on exhibition. See the newly revealed images of what the school will look like.

The public is being urged to have their say on the development of a new school for southwest Sydney that could cater for more than 1500 students.

A planning proposal for Minarah College is currently on public exhibition. The new facility would be a coeducational independent Kindergarten to Year 12 school off Catherine Fields Road and plans to house about 1580 students on the one campus.

The capital investment value - meaning all the costs necessary to establish and operate the project - is estimated to be about $93.3 million, therefore, the proposal is classified as a State Significant Development.

With construction occurring in five stages, the new school would also include an early learning centre, special education school and Out of School Hours care.

Artist impression of Minarah College.

The proposed educational facility is connected to the Green Valley Islamic College and, according to development documents submitted to planning authorities, would create 150 jobs during construction and 140 jobs once operational.

Other facilities would include multifunctional learning spaces for the primary and the secondary school, a library, breakout spaces and school canteen, separate primary and secondary school halls as well as other student and staff amenities.

Upgrades to Catherine Fields Road including road widening, a new turning lane and bus bay are also included in the plan as well as 138 on-site car parking spaces and 30 drop-off and pick-up spaces.

The new school would welcome about 1500 students in Kindergarten to Year 12.

Planning documents show there would be a staged increase in student numbers to a maximum of 1580 students by 2040, including 840 primary school students and 660 secondary school students.

“Over the 20 years to 2036, projections show an expected increase of 24,950 children aged four years and younger, with 41 per cent of this growth in Camden local government area,” the documents state.

“The population growth data alone illustrates the need and likely demand for early education and childcare facilities and schools.

“Minarah College would cater for growing population by providing a diverse education facility in a growth area.”