Manly Vale parents angry over Warringah Council plan to hold up sale of land for redevelopment
Parents blast council over planned land block - with 1960s toilets built for 100 but shared by more than 400 among reasons for their anger.
PARENTS of children at Manly Vale Public School have slammed the council for planning to refuse to hand over a slice of land needed for redevelopment.
The State Education Department plans to create 40 classrooms, plus other buildings, as part of an expansion for the packed school.
Though many locals opposed the plans to build on the surrounding bushland, the government said studies showed it would not have a big impact on wildlife. As reported in the Manly Daily, the $23 million plan is opposed by five council units.
Now Warringah Council plans to give the red light to a land grab for part of Manly Warringah War Memorial Park, which is needed for bushfire protection.
Council staff want councillors to vote against the proposed purchase at Tuesday’s council meeting – even though the sale would eventually go ahead under compulsory purchase rules.
President of the school council, Stephen Hancock, 44, who has two children at the school with son Freddie due to start next year, said 60 per cent of children are taught in demountable classrooms. He accused the council of causing more delays.
“This is a pressing need and the council sitting on their hands is disappointing,” he said.
“What we want to do is provide the facilities to back up our fantastic teachers. It’s just creaking at the seams.”
Father-of-two, Ian Hills, 68, said the plan has been hit by delays since 2008.
“This school is very old and has only two brick buildings – one of them, a toilet block built 60 years ago for 100 kids, that now has to cater for 400. It’s a disgrace.”
More than 100 public submissions have been made, and one protester Ellin Byrne, has collected 1500 signatures, which she plans to hand to Premier Mike Baird.
Meanwhile, the Department of Education has revealed more details about the plans online, including artist impressions.
It says building on the school's existing footprint isn’t possible because of its location.
A Department of Education spokesman said: “The compulsory acquisition by agreement method was a pathway recommended to the Department of Education by council.”
Parents as well as protesters are expected at the council meeting at 6pm on Tuesday night at Warringah Council in Dee Why.
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