THE Department of Education owned site on Garside Road, Mollymook will be immediately withdrawn from sale following lobbying by the Member for South Coast Shelley Hancock to the NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Minister for Education and Early Childhood Learning Sarah Mitchell.
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Mrs Hancock said she pressured the NSW Government to withdraw the land from sale after concerns were raised by the community that the Department of Education had failed to consult on the plans for the sale.
"I was outraged when I learned, at the same time as the community, that the Department of Education intended on selling the site," Mrs Hancock said.
"It was simply unacceptable that the sale was proceeding without any consultation with the community, nor surrounding school principals and education staff. This is extremely valuable land, not just in terms of its monetary value, but its significant environmental benefits to the Mollymook community.
"For a number of weeks I have been in direct contact with the Department of Education, the Minister for Education and Early Childhood Learning and last week the Premier Gladys Berejiklian imploring them to withdraw this land for sale.
"I can now confirm that the site will not proceed to auction as intended on March 10.
"The fences will now be removed and we will go back to the community to involve them in any future decision.
"It is essential that we plan for the future. We need to better understand the Southern Shoalhaven's education needs, and involve the community in developing our future education plans. This includes the future of the former Shoalhaven Anglican School site.
"I will always advocate in the best interests of my community and will be ensuring this land stays in government hands now and into the future," Mrs Hancock said.
