The Hunter could soon be home to new public schools in the growing suburbs of Huntlee and Medowie.
Minister for Education and Early Learning Prue Car announced at the weekend the NSW Government would invest more than $1.4 billion over the next four years to continue delivering a massive pipeline of educational institutes throughout regional communities.
It follows 2023’s significant commitment to essential infrastructure, ensuring every student across the state, no matter where they live, has access to high-quality facilities.
That includes a new primary and high school for Huntlee, as well as a secondary school for Medowie.
“The Liberals and Nationals neglected or ignored the educational needs of many families in regional NSW, leaving a backlog of projects in the regions,” said Ms Car, who was joined by Cessnock MP Clayton Barr and Upper Hunter MLC Emily Suvaal on Saturday 15 June.
“But, we have a long-term plan to rebuild public education and we are focused on building and upgrading essential educational facilities in the bush, creating better communities for the people of NSW.
“This will ensure NSW boasts world-class public infrastructure, so all young families can access a high-quality education, regardless of their postcode.”
Huntlee’s co-located primary and high school is slated for the corner of Reading Road and Personia Boulevard.
“It was great to meet with Pru and Emily [today],” Mr Barr said.
“This is fantastic news for the people of Huntlee, Branxton, North Rothbury, Greta and surrounding communities.”
Other projects are proposed for Calderwood, Broken Hill, Jindabyne, Googong, Griffiths and Nowra.
Many of them will also benefit from the Labor government’s record $769 million investment to build 100 new public preschools, co-located with primary schools, by 2027.
Forty-nine are expected throughout the South Coast, Hunter, Illawarra, Mid-North Coast, New England, Southern NSW, Northern Rivers, Far West, Riverina, South-West Slopes and Central West.
Major upgrades will also be delivered at primary schools in Gillieston Heights, Lennox Head, Ulladulla and Milton; and high schools in Newcastle, Bomaderry, Heatherbrae, Irrawang, Moruya, Ulladulla, Vincentia and Yanco, as well as four in Murwillumbah.
“For too long under the former government, families in regional NSW were promised the world, while little was delivered for the regions,” Ms Car said.
“Work is also continuing to ensure that communities across NSW don’t just have the schools they need, but also the teachers.
“The upcoming NSW State Budget builds upon work to address the chronic shortage created under the former government, which is felt particularly in rural communities, with the expansion of the Priority Recruitment Support program.
“This initiative allows schools with longstanding vacancies, primarily in regional NSW, to advertise a recruitment bonus of up to $20,000 and relocation support package of up to $8,000.”
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