It was good to find out this afternoon that the Member for Macquarie Fields is still in there fighting the good fight over Hurlstone Agricultural College.
Anoulack Chanthivong has introduced a Private Member’s Bill to the State Parliament in a bid to stop the Baird Government’s ridiculous plans to deprive Campbelltown, Macarthur and the entire south west region of Sydney of almost 100 years of schooling tradition.
That is how long Hurlstone has been offering excellent agricultural and other courses for local kids.
But in one fell swoop the Baird mob did the world’s biggest policy reverse by announcing it would relocate Hurlstone to western Sydney and letting property developers loose on the vacant acres presently used for farming education.
I am not sure of the details of Mr Chanthivong’s Bill, but for the benefit of Mr Baird and his education minister here are our Top 5 reasons why they should keep their hands off Hurlstone:
Number 1. It belongs to us. That’s right, Hurlstone is synonymous with Campbelltown, Macarthur and South West Sydney.
Number 2. There is actually no need to relocate the school because where they say it’s going there are already other agricultural high schools serving the residents of western Sydney, from Parramatta to Penrith and the Blue Mountains.
Number 3. For honesty’s sake. Back in 2009 the Liberals were the champions of Hurlstone when it was under similar threat.
Number 4. There is massive new housing planned for the south west, south of Glenfield, so it’s more imperative than ever to maintain the green spaces of Hurlstone. It is the last, precious green space between Liverpool and Campbelltown.
Number 5. This decision is emblematic of a conservative state government that’s returned to its bad old ways of only governing for the north shore and the eastern suburbs. But unless they win seats in west and south west Sydney, the Coalition cannot win government. And this Coalition Government is becoming increasingly unpopular in those parts. The stink from Hurlstone will follow them all the way to the next election in March 2019. And by the way, that’s not as far away as you’d think.
they have no idea of what is right and proper in maintaining the schools proud history
It’s a disgrace to sell off our heritage for short term gain
but that is typical of Liberal Governments; sell off public assets and to hell
with the future. One very good reason why Property Developers and Real Estate
Agents should not be allowed to influence Parliament, much less be Members of
it at any level, especially Local Councils!
It needs to be protected .