newy.com.au – Hunter schools will be among the regional beneficiaries of a $2.3 billion NSW Budget school building program, with new primary schools, relocated campuses and co-located public early learning facilities listed for Cessnock, Chisholm, Cooranbong, Huntlee, Maitland and Muswellbrook.
The projects are part of what the Minns Labor Government says is a record $9.2 billion investment in public school infrastructure over the next four years through the 2026-27 NSW Budget, aimed at delivering new and upgraded schools across the state.
In the Hunter, Cessnock East Public School and Muswellbrook Public School are listed for co-located public early learning facilities. Chisholm and Huntlee are set to receive new primary schools with co-located public early learning, while Cooranbong is listed for a relocated primary school with co-located public early learning. Maitland Grossmann is listed for a relocated high school.
The government says the regional program is designed to deliver new and upgraded schools in communities where essential infrastructure had not kept pace with population growth. Other regional projects named in the Budget include co-located public early learning at Calderwood Public School, Eden Public School and Inverell Public School, a rebuild of Deniliquin High School, a new high school at Flinders, new primary schools at Googong West and West Dapto, and other school works.
The regional spending sits alongside a $4.1 billion investment for new and upgraded schools in Western Sydney, including new high schools at Austral and Bella Vista, new primary schools with co-located public early learning in several growth suburbs, and major upgrades at Cherrybrook Public School, Nangamay Public School and Spring Farm Public School. A new high school for Rydalmere and a new primary school for Rhodes will also be fully funded.
The government says new and upgraded schools in North West Sydney will add permanent capacity for more than 17,000 public school students, with 800 modern classrooms replacing more than 160 ageing demountables. In South West Sydney, it says the program will add capacity for more than 13,500 students, with 650 modern classrooms replacing more than 100 ageing demountables.
Deputy Premier, Minister for Education and Early Learning and Minister for Western Sydney Prue Car said the Budget continued the government’s work on public education infrastructure.
“We came to government promising to rebuild public education in NSW, and we’ve spent three years delivering on that promise.
“Now, having worked hard to address the failures of the Liberals and Nationals to build schools in our fastest-growing suburbs, this Budget shifts our focus from catching up to planning ahead.
“Families want world-class public schools close to where they live, with less time spent commuting and a restored confidence in an improved public education system.”
Treasurer Daniel Mookhey said the investment was about access to education across NSW.
“This Budget builds much more than bricks and mortar. It builds a brighter future for working families across NSW.
“This record $9.2 billion investment unlocks the life-changing benefits of a quality education. Benefits that should be within reach, regardless of postcode.”
The government says the Budget builds on 260 new and upgraded schools and public preschools already being delivered across NSW. It has also pointed to its work transitioning more than 25,000 teachers and school support staff from temporary contracts to permanent employment, and says teacher vacancies have fallen to a 12-year low since the election of the Minns government.
