With any luck, Gillieston Heights could boast a new public school in 2024.
And, it’s not a moment too soon.
After an almost decade-long crusade, numerous pleas to the NSW Government and even a parliamentary committee visit, there appears to be light at the end of the tunnel.
Gillieston Public School P&C president Katie Ferguson, Maitland MP Jenny Aitchison and local residents are relieved to know the severely-neglected educational facility’s redevelopment is one step closer to fruition.
In the 2022-23 State Budget, $1.73 million was committed to the project, however it failed to provide details in relation to the completion date and an estimate of the scale of the renovation.
But, in the recently-released School Infrastructure NSW 2022-23 Delivery Strategy, Gillieston Public is listed as one of 23 major capital works endeavours, added with the funding estimate falling between the $25 million and $75 million category.
When the report was printed, the appointment of a project manager for planning and delivery, architect, cost manager, civil structural and building services engineers were all slated as “Jul-Sept 2022”, with a building contractor expected to be appointed in July-September 2023.
“We all knew that the $1.73 million announced in the June budget was nowhere near enough to ensure the school received the infrastructure that it desperately needed,” Ms Ferguson said.
“While I’m very elated with the news [today], somewhere in the ballpark of $25 million and $75 million being mentioned, until the trucks turn up, I’m not going to believe it.
“In the report, it says they had promised previously to build or fix schools four years ago.
“So, under this current NSW Government, I won’t hold my breath.”
Sadly, with 2023 just around the corner, Gillieston Public is home to merely two permanent buildings.
“It’s demountable city [here]; it’s truly shocking,” Ms Ferguson said.
“My daughter is currently in Year 6… and it’s been the same during her entire school journey.
“Every time we get more enrolments, they add another demountable, another demountable and another demountable.
“As you can see, the main office is another demountable.
“Currently, there’s about 600 primary-aged children that live in Gillieston Heights.
“However, only 300 of them attend this school.
“I did a call-out to some of the parents and was told they’d rather be in debt than send their kids here because the infrastructure is just so poor.
“That’s sad in this day and age.”
But, Ms Ferguson acknowledges there is still much to be done.
“I’ve been working closely with Jenny (Aitchison) for a couple of years and we won’t stop knocking on doors until we have the finished project that our children and community deserve,” she said.
“My predecessors tried valiantly as well, without things going their way.
“So, when I take on a role, like the P&C president, I put everything into it.
“However, it’s been a long battle for all of the Gillieston community, not just myself.
“If it isn’t built by the time my daughter, who is in Kindergarten, leaves, I’ll still be here fighting for it whether she’s at high school or not.”
Meanwhile, Ms Aitchison has requested an update from the Minister for Education to ensure that the positions mentioned in the School Infrastructure NSW 2022-23 Delivery Strategy have been appointed and the delivery for the redevelopment is on track.
“It’s fantastic to see, after such a long campaign, we’ve been able to secure a commitment from the government for a funding envelope that will see a full redevelopment of Gillieston Public,” she told the Newcastle Weekly.
“To be honest, it’s been really difficult to watch the school community go through this.
“When I first was elected, there was a dirt floor in the boys’ toilets.
“That’s just not acceptable in 21st century learning environments.
“The school isn’t connected to the town sewer either but, at least, it’s on the list.
“Even, not having adequate guarding around the bottom of the demountables is appalling.
“They’re coming in all the time – and taking away from the students’ play space.
“The school fence isn’t high enough; if you have children with issues, they can get out easily.
“That’s not safe either.
“When we were trying to get the zones designated in the right place, it was like ‘this is a school that’s been going along since the 1800s – the first building on site was still there and the community has grown up around it’.
“Gillieston Heights has between 5,000 and 7,000 people here now… with more to come.
“And, the NSW Government hasn’t kept up with that infrastructure pace.”
Ms Aitchison praised the P&C members, past and present, as well as residents for their perseverance.
“I’ve worked side-by-side with the Gillieston School community since before I was elected to Parliament to pressure the government to invest and bring the school up to a 21st century standard… and, finally, we are seeing some action,” she said.
“Their input has been really important.
“When I first came on board, there were governance issues… as a result of the sadly-lacking infrastructure.
“Katie (Ferguson) has done an amazing job in getting people together.
“By the time you’ve been fighting for something for seven years, it’s very easy for those to get despondent and give up.
“But, she’s stayed the course, along with the likes of Todd Sellers, Sarah Bird and many, many others.
“They’ve made representations to the Upper House inquiry in person and submissions by writing, signed petitions and much more, to really prove the need.
“So, this is a win for them.
“I’m just a voice for the community.
“However, it makes it easy when they’re behind you.
“It’s just a disgrace that it’s taken 12 long years to get the government to even admit there is a problem and to act.
“Now, I’ve put them on notice.
“There are other schools that need this to happen as well.
“Thornton is one that springs to mind immediately.
“We’ve also got no school zoned for Chisholm – there isn’t a public school in that suburb.
“These are areas that are really struggling.
“I look at Lochinvar and the development out there; they’ve got a tiny little school.
“Don’t get me wrong, it’s fabulous, and the staff, kids and parents are great.
“But, they just need some love and some real help.
“I’ll be making sure their voices are heard, too.”
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