The Forest High, Frenchs Forest: NSW Budget sets money aside for relocation

Authorities have confirmed that money is being put aside for a crucial step in the long-awaited swanky new town centre to accompany Northern Beaches Hospital.

The controversial relocation of a northern beaches high school looks set to go ahead after confirmation that money has been set aside towards the big move.

It has been revealed that funding linked to moving The Forest High at Frenchs Forest has been set aside in the NSW Budget to be handed down by the Berejiklian Government on Tuesday.

Funds have been set aside in next week’s State Budget to go towards moving The Forest High School. Picture: Manly Daily

Education Minister Sarah Mitchell has released details of a $2.1 billion Budget investment in 44 new and upgraded schools over the next four years. The relocation of The Forest High is on the “infrastructure funding” list.

The future of the school has been at the centre of speculation since it was first mooted, in 2010, that the NSW Government wanted to rezone a section of Frenchs Forest to create a “priority precinct”.

That precinct which included a new town centre — with shoptop apartment blocks up to 12 storeys – was supposed to help accommodate for the Northern Beaches Hospital.

An artist’s impression of the proposed new town centre at Frenchs Forest. Picture: NSW Government

The school would have to be bulldozed if that plan was accepted.

There was also speculation that the school would relocate to the park — built on an old council tip — next to the Warringah Aquatic Centre, but state planning officials have ruled that out after concerns that the land may subside.

The rejection of the Aquatic Reserve location comes despite the Northern Beaches Council’s “Hospital Precinct Structure Plan” stating that the park would accommodate an “educational establishment” and that this would “facilitate the relocation of The Forest High School to create a state-of-the-art recreation and education precinct”.

The council has been in talks with the NSW Government over the rezoning of part of Frenchs Forest to create a new town centre next to the hospital, which includes more than 4300 high-density homes to be built by 2040.

Northern Beaches Hospital. The Council has been in talks with the NSW Government over the rezoning of part of Frenchs Forest to create a new town centre next to the hospital Picture: Troy Snook

But residents and developers have been waiting on the Department of Planning to release the final draft plan for the town centre since March 2018. The first draft was exhibited in 2016 after authorities first mooted the idea in 2010.

In February the NSW Planning Department said it was still working, with the support of the Education Department, to “procure a site in the (school) catchment area to relocate The Forest High School and allow plans for Frenchs Forest Town Centre to proceed to public exhibition”.

An artist’s impression of part of the residential neighbourhood proposed for the precinct near the hospital. Picture: NSW Government

In a statement to the Manly Daily on Thursday, the Education Department confirmed funding for 44 new and upgraded school projects, including the relocation of The Forest High School, will be announced as part of the 2021/22 NSW Budget.

The department could not confirm where the school would move to.

“The relocation of The Forest High School will deliver new fit for purpose learning spaces and core facilities,” a spokesman said.

“School Infrastructure NSW is currently undertaking an assessment of planning requirements for the relocation of The Forest High School.

The Forest High School would have to be demolished to make way for a proposed residential neighbourhood and new town centre. Picture: NSW Government

“To date, this has included investigating the costs and benefits, spatial requirements of upgrades, and how they might fit within the wider Frenchs Forest community.

“A Project Reference Group has been established that includes architects, planners and design professionals, and representatives from the Department of Education, The Forest High School and the PandC.

“Further updates regarding the relocation of The Forest High School will be released as the project progresses.”