Parents endorse Anglican land subdivision

News the popular preschool would close its doors in December was a bitter pill for families of 80 small children and 15 redundant staff.

However not all is lost, after the positive outcome, on Monday, August 21, of a meeting between parents and representatives of the Anglican Schools Corporation.

“Since the meeting ... the Anglican Schools Corporation have spoken with (Shoalhaven City) Council and gained positive feedback about the possibility of subdividing Gumnut from the main school site, and have therefore appointed consultants to proceed with the application,” parent representative Calvin Rogers said.

“The first step in this process is to have Gumnut subdivided. The second step is to then consider who may be able to purchase and run the centre – this could be a government body or a private body.”

South Coast MP Shelley Hancock supports the community’s desire to keep the preschool open.

“I personally see an advantage in purchasing the Anglican school site and I will continue to advocate for this option,” she said.

However, Mr Rogers didn’t speculate on who the future owner and/or operator of Gumnut Pre-Kinder might be.

“I do not know enough at this point to provide my thoughts on who is the best person (or) group to do this,” he said.

“It could take one of many forms and I really hope it is successful as I would love to see my two youngest children enjoy Gumnut in the next few years, and the community benefit from the centre long into the future.”

Shoalhaven City Council mayor Amanda Findley urged members of Facebook Group Save Gumnut to apply to council for permission to subdivide the land.

However, she also warned that any application to subdivide the land would require the approval of the Anglican Schools Corporation.

“Subdivision of the Gumnut Pre-Kinder from the former Shoalhaven Anglican School site can be considered under clause 4.2E(3) of Shoalhaven Local Environment Plan (LEP) 2014, depending on the nature of the proposal, without the need for a rezoning.”

Ms Hancock agreed that the Anglican Schools Corporation “is the key”.

“So further negotiations with them need to continue,” she said.

“This must occur in my view as soon as possible and pinning our hopes on the Government purchasing the site in the short term will not solve the problem faced by Gumnut and its families at the end of the year.”

Ms Hancock is meeting with State Education Minister Rob Stokes in three weeks.

“I will discuss the situation with him,” she said.

“I am following this issue closely.”