South Coast MP Shelley Hancock has met with Education Minister Rob Stokes to push the need for a new school in Milton-Ulladulla.
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Mrs Hancock demanded the meeting following news of a letter, obtained by the Milton Ulladulla Times, in which the minister rejected calls for a new school in the region due to “insufficient demand”.
Mrs Hancock, who was unaware of Mr Stokes’ decision until approached by the Times for comment, was furious about the decision and said she had never felt so furious about an issue in her political life.
The meeting was “extremely productive”, Mrs Hancock said.
“I received assurances from the Minister that the NSW Government had not ruled out the purchase of the former Shoalhaven Anglican School [SAS] site at Milton.
“Following a meeting with the Education Minister and staff today [February 8], I remain optimistic about the purchase of the SAS site in Milton to provide an additional school in the southern Shoalhaven.”
“The Minister informed me that the purchase of the site has not been ruled out.
“It is still under active consideration by the Department of Education.”
READ MORE: Minister backflips on SAS purchase
Mrs Hancock presented a “detailed submission” on the increasing population projections for the southern Shoalhaven, along with the high current and projected enrolment figures for Milton Public School, Ulladulla Public School and Ulladulla High School.
This submission counters comments made by Mr Stokes that the region’s enrolment figures were projected to decline.
“Projections indicate that enrolments at the three government schools serving these communities... will decline [until the year] 2031,” he said in the letter dated December 8, 2017.
However, experts cast doubts over the minister’s projections, with Shoalhaven City Council strategic planning manager Gordon Clark saying Milton-Ulladulla is “absolutely” a growth-patch for young families.
“I expressed the view that we need to purchase this school as a matter of urgency considering its location and excellent condition,” Mrs Hancock said.
“As well as discussing the need for a new special school considering the significant enrolment growth at Budawang School in Ulladulla.
“The minister, whilst cautionary in his response, provided me with some comfort that the proposal to purchase SAS was still under active consideration and therefore I encourage the community to continue to sign petitions and write to me supporting the purchase.”
A community petition calling on the state government to purchase the site on Croobyar Road, Milton has gained more than 6000 signatures.
It was hoped 10,000 people would sign the petition, put forward by Mrs Hancock last year, and it would be discussed in parliament in the first half of the year.
“Finally, I also reiterated that the community should be involved in any future discussions about options for use of the site,” Mrs Hancock said.
“Options might include a new secondary school, a middle school or any other option which the community may suggest.
“The push to purchase the SAS site was always about... the Shoalhaven’s future education needs.
“My priority remains ensuring that students from the southern Shoalhaven are provided with the best possible education and learning environment.”
Mrs Hancock said she remained committed to working with the community and the minister to achieve a new school for the region and will continue to lobby for the SAS site’s purchase.
