Eastwood Public School: First look at new school upgrades
An ‘overcrowded school’ in Sydney’s north-west is set to receive a multimillion-dollar upgrade which could see the end of demountables being used as classrooms. SEE THE PLANS.
Northern District Times
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A multistorey classroom block has been included in new $7 million plans to replace demountables at an overcrowded public school in Sydney’s north.
Recently lodged plans by the NSW Department of Education reveal the three-storey block will replace four of the 10 demountables at Eastwood Public School.
“The new buildings replace existing demountable classrooms and a student toilet block which are at the end of their useful life and no longer fit for purpose,” according to the development application.
It comes after calls from parents and the state opposition leader Jodi McKay for school upgrades after reports of overcrowding at the school.
Ms McKay previously claimed the school was 30 per cent over capacity with multiple demountables and limited playground space.
“More schools need to be in the fast-track list because in areas like Macquarie Park it’s booming and they need schools and locals need jobs,” she said.
The new classroom block featuring nine classrooms will be connected to an existing classroom block with direct level access to school entries at Rutledge Street and the corner of Rowe Street and Shaftsbury Road.
A small playground and amenities block will also be knocked down and replaced with a new toilet block will also have direct level access from the school sports courts, according to the plans.
A Department of Education spokesman said, “The upgrade at Eastwood Public School will deliver a new building with nine innovative, flexible classrooms, as well as a new toilet block.
“There are currently 10 demountables on site, with nine used as classrooms and one used as a special programs room. The scope is for the removal of all demountables currently on site at the completion of the project.”
When asked if the upgrades were enough to combat overcrowding, the spokeswoman said enrolment capacity was a “guide” for schools managing their out of area enrolments.
“The enrolment capacity set is not the number of local students a school can accommodate,” she said.
“In the local area, a new primary school, Smalls Road Public School, opened earlier this year and accommodates approximately 1000 students. Additionally, recent upgrades have provided six new classrooms and two special programs rooms at Denistone East Public School, 22 new classrooms at Epping Public School and 14 new classrooms at West Ryde Public School.
“An upgrade is currently underway at Kent Road Public School to deliver 34 new classrooms, while planning is underway for an upgrade at Epping West Public School which will provide 26 new classrooms. Planning for a new primary school in Epping is also underway.”
The development application is on public exhibition with submissions open until November 26.
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