Education Minister Rob Stokes to reconsider plans to bulldoze bushland for Manly Vale school

NEWLY   appointed Education Minster Rob Stokes has left the door ajar for a possible change of controversial plans to redevelop Manly Vale Public School.

Manly Vale Public School plans could be put on hold. Picture: Virginia Young.

• School development approved with 3.65ha of bushland to go
• Premier Baird spruiks Manly Vale school plans

NEWLY   appointed Education Minster Rob Stokes has left the door ajar for a possible change of controversial plans to redevelop Manly Vale Public School.

It comes after Northern Beaches Council administrator Dick Persson wrote to Mr Stokes in the days after he was given the role.

The letter urged Mr Stokes to “hit a pause button” on the plans which would demolish 3.65ha of bushland at Manly Dam Reserve.

Northern Beaches Council administrator Dick Persson. Picture: Troy Snook.

Community groups and the council have argued the school should be built upwards on its existing footprint, but the Education Department has argued the current plans were the only way forward.

The Pittwater MP said he was yet to receive the letter, but would listen.

Rob Stokes will listen to the administrator’s concerns. Picture: Adam Yip.

“I am always happy to talk through important issues affecting our local community,” Mr Stokes said. “I am very personally aware of the importance of Manly Dam Reserve to the local and indeed regional community but also acutely aware of the need to provide the resources required for a growing school.”

Mr Stokes said he was happy to listen to Mr Persson’s ways of resolving the issue. Mr Persson spoke about his frustration with the Education Department at Tuesday’s council meeting. In his letter to Mr Stokes he said.

“I suspect the department is moving to quickly tender to ensure their strongly fought for preference is locked in contractually.

“It is therefore now a matter of urgency that you intervene to hit a pause button to allow me to meet with you.”