The three local councils, Camden, Campbelltown and Wollondilly, have welcomed the NSW Government’s announcement to expand the Share Our Space program, ensuring new public school facilities can be accessed by local communities outside school hours and during school holidays.
The expansion will see all new public schools being built across NSW automatically included in the program, providing communities with greater access to publicly owned sporting facilities, playgrounds, ovals and open spaces.
The Macarthur councils said the expansion would complement the work being undertaken by local government to provide high-quality public spaces, sporting facilities and community infrastructure, as these communities are experiencing rapid population growth and increasing demand for accessible recreation and sporting facilities.
The Councils also welcomed the NSW Government’s commitment to prioritising additional schools for inclusion in Share Our Space, particularly in areas experiencing the greatest need for access to open space and outdoor recreation facilities.
The announcement confirmed that all new public schools will be eligible to participate in the Share Our Space program, including Gledswood Hills High School, Leppington High School, Wilton High School and Wilton Ridge Public School, due to open first term in 2027.
Emerald Hills Public School and Preschool, due to open term 1 2028, will also be eligible to join the program.
Mayor of Camden, Cr Vince Ferreri, said the expansion of Share Our Space was a positive step towards making the most of publicly funded infrastructure and supporting the needs of rapidly growing communities.
“Camden is the fastest-growing LGA in south-west Sydney and our residents need access to quality open spaces and sporting facilities that keep pace with that growth,” Cr Ferreri said.
“We welcome the NSW Government’s decision to automatically include all new public schools in the Share Our Space program.
“Camden is welcoming around 100 new residents every week, and with more than one in four residents aged under 15, demand for places where our community can play sport, stay active and enjoy the outdoors is continuing to grow.
“Making better use of the spaces we already have, including opening up school ovals and sporting facilities for community use outside school hours, is a practical and important way to help meet this demand and ensure our growing communities have access to the facilities they need.”
Mayor of Campbelltown, Cr Darcy Lound, said the expansion would provide much-needed access to more public spaces for growing communities.
“Campbelltown is growing rapidly, and with that growth comes increasing demand for sporting fields, open space and places for our community to stay active,” Cr Lound said.
“Opening up new school facilities for community use outside school hours and during school holidays is a practical way to create more opportunities for local families and community groups to get active and connect.
“As our city continues to grow, we need to make the most of the public infrastructure being delivered across our region and look for opportunities to share these spaces with the broader community.
“Local government plays an important role in planning and delivering community infrastructure, and initiatives like this can help us work together to meet the needs of our growing communities and create healthier, more connected places to live,” he said.
Mayor of Wollondilly, Matt Gould also welcomed the decision.
“It’s fantastic to see that this program is extending to the new schools at Wilton in addition to Douglas Park Public School, which currently takes part in the program,’’ he said.
“It would be great to see it expand even further across the Shire so more communities in Wollondilly can take advantage of public school facilities to get active and enjoy some fresh air and sunshine close to home.’’
