‘Ruining the Gold Coast’ Online post ignites debate over proposed school

Controversy over a proposal for a new southern Gold Coast school has reignited. Find out why.

Artist impression of a new school proposed for the Gold Coast Hinterland

Fierce debate over a proposal for a new southern Gold Coast school has reignited on a Facebook community page.

Earlier this year plans were unveiled for the Gold Coast’s newest school to be built in Currumbin Valley as the city’s existing campuses were squeezed to breaking point.

The proposed High Trees Primary would accommodate students from Prep to Year 6 with a maximum of 99 students

The project was submitted to council for approval in late June amid a 200 per cent increase in home schooling across the state.

After plans for High Trees Primary were publicised, a group of local residents led by former Labor Currumbin candidate Kaylee Campradt began opposing the school, arguing it was inappropriate for the area, would generate too much traffic and that there was a lack of necessary infrastructure.

Spokesperson Kaylee Campradt and fellow Currumbin Valley neighbours and residents stand in the driveway for a new boutique school they are opposed to in the Hinterland suburb. High Trees Primary will be built in the Currumbin Valley and will be one of the first new schools built on the Coast in recent years. The group are opposing the school, arguing it is inappropriate for the area, will generate too much traffic and that there is a lack of necessary infrastructure. Picture Glenn Hampson

An anonymous post to a southern Gold Coast community page reignited that debate this week:

“If you live locally, please join us and lodge an objection to this application for a private school to be built in Currumbin Valley. Commercial premises in a rural zoning.

More cars and chaos.

It’s easy to object, just follow this link.

You can also follow this link for more info.

DON’T DELAY- closes 5pm tomorrow the 7th Nov…”

Here’s what you said:

WE NEED MORE SCHOOLS

Nicole Klein: “This area needs more schools, the ones we have are too full. Why would you stop providing better education for kids !! Where’s the petition to make this happen!”

Brooke Alexander: “Stop. Please research. It’s not just a school, it’s a very different type of place for our children to learn. Wherever it is built we need more places like this. I personally am dying for somewhere like this.”

Nicole McDonald: “Please do your research before jumping on the bandwagon. It’s a specialist school, NOT mainstream, for children who don’t fit the normal “Mould.” I encourage you to do your own research before objecting. There needs to be more of this type of learning.”

Stewart Brooker: “Looks very low impact and a good location to teach kids respect for the environment.”

WE NEED TO ENCOURAGE LEARNING:

Kim Berg: ️“Why would anyone want to object to a new school that will enrich children’s lives? I understand you are living in fear. The Gold Coast has a massive amount of homeschooling because the current system is a failure to a lot of children. Families and children need more and better options to help make sure we have beautiful humans in the future. The school will have minimal impact on the environment. Currumbin Valley will not be ruined by this. You have more people in the valley on weekends going to the rockpools than you would for the school. Maybe you could object this? Plus, a lot of residents in the valley are selling part of their properties to make money which also causes a lot of infill housing. I’m encouraging people to read and research about High trees and put in your submission FOR the school.”

Roz McDonald: “I thought it was already built? Opens next year! Great initiative for the GC to offer a different type of schooling for kids that don’t fit mainstream! high Trees has my vote! The Valley has Currumbin Valley Primary school and this is no different- so not sure what all the fuss is about!”

WE DON’T WANT IT

Kaylee Campradt: “This is about a commercial operation in a rural zoning. This is not an objection of a new school. It’s about protecting the valleys, the lungs of the city. What’s next, an abattoir?! The owners knew it was not zoned for this when they bought it, and are now just trying everything to change the rules. I’m seriously over Sydney money ruining the Gold Coast.”

Wayne Slater: “Now let’s see, one way in and one way out, place is well known for flooding in any storms and don’t forget fires !!!!!l. I swear as humans we are dummy down”

A report lodged with the Gold Coast City Council reveals the school will be built in four stages across a 4ha site on Currumbin Creek and will have classrooms created within the existing house on the property, as well as new buildings hosting learning pods, recreation and learning facilities.

High Trees founder and director Marj Hartmann said she was aware of “locals who fear the idea of a school in their beautiful community” but insisted she and the team behind the school had done “comprehensive community consultation”.