The state government, which has approved rezoning of land to pave the way for thousands of new homes in Appin and Wilton, should now provide a second high school in Wollondilly.
There’s just one public high school in the entire shire, Picton High (pictured above), and Mayor Matt Gould says the demand will go through the roof in the next few years.
The need to start planning for a new high school has now become urgent, he says.
Commenting on a new report pointing to a massive increase in the number of high school age students in Wollondilly, Mayor Gould said planning for a second school should now be fast tracked.
“Although most villages have their own primary school, Picton High School is still the only public high school in the whole Wollondilly Shire – and it is functionally at capacity,’’ he said.
“For years we have flagged that large numbers of our school aged children are forced to leave the Shire to attend school, with many travelling up to an hour each way.
“This report shows that in the next six years alone the number of additional high school students in the Shire will increase by the same amount as currently attend Picton High.
“Locals have been calling for additional high schools for many years, even without the many families moving into Wilton and then Appin.
“These forecasts show that the government needs to act now to make sure the needs of our future community are met.
“I know our local MP Judy Hannan also sees this as a key priority and is advocating strongly for a new high school in the Wollondilly Shire.”
