So far the State Government has studiously ignored calls to reverse its decision to relocate iconic Campbelltown school Hurlstone High and sell the land around it for housing.
But it hasn’t dampened the enthusiasm of MP Anoulack Chanthivong, who has been driving the campaign to keep Hurlstone local.
“I am encouraged by the many people who call me and say ‘keep going, don’t give up’, it helps me to continue fighting this outrageous decision,’’ says the State Member for Macquarie Fields.
Hurlstone is the oldest government boarding school in NSW and is the state’s only public selective and agricultural school that also includes a coeducational boarding school.
The 112 hectare campus includes classroom blocks, an operational farm, sporting facilities and student accommodation.
It is consistently one of the region’s top academic performers.
The school first opened in 1907 and was relocated to its present site in 1926, which means it has been in the Campbelltown area for 91 years.
The State Government announced in late 2015 that it would relocate Hurlstone to the Hawkesbury campus of the Western Sydney University.
“Surplus’’ land around Hurlstone at Glenfield will be sold to developers for housing and the proceeds, said the government at the time, would fund a brand new high school on the site and boost education facilities across the South West region.
But the proposal received very little support locally, while opposition to it continues to grow.
Mr Chanthivong said the recent decision by the Sydney South West Planning Panel to approve a Development Application at Hurlstone was the first domino to fall, but he wouldn’t be giving up the fight.
He enlisted the support of Adam Herman, a former student at Hurlstone, to illustrate the domino effect of the government’s decision.
“The worst thing about this is the loss of green space,’’ says Adam, who finished Year 12 at Hurlstone in 2016 and is now studying Arts/Law and Media at Sydney University.
“A little of bit me wants to retain the heritage of the school, as there is so much substantial history at Hurlstone.
[social_quote duplicate=”no” align=”default”]“If it goes it will also mean many years from now I won’t be able to go back to Glenfield to see how things are going at Hurlstone,’’ he said.[/social_quote]
As for Mr Chanthivong he’s adamant a U-turn is what the State Government must do on this issue.
“The open space is very important to us, it’s part of the local identity,’’ he says.
“It’s always been a buffer from overdevelopment.
“But in the end we must listen to the views of our kids and our families who believe this school ought to stay in the Campelltown area.’’
