Hardly any parent in South Western Sydney will be surprised to learn that the area did not get the schools its population growth demanded over the past decade.
But that’s exactly what an enrolment growth audit shows.
The audit, released earlier this week by the Department of Education, is a key election commitment of the NSW Government and part of its growth areas schools plan to ensure families in fast-growing areas have timely access to high quality public schools.
The audit found that the top 10 student growth areas between 2018 and 2023 accounted for close to 40 per cent of all student enrolment growth in NSW.
These areas have been identified as priority growth precincts by successive NSW Governments since the mid-2000s; however, planning failed to deliver the schools needed.
Leppington, Catherine Fields, Edmondson Park, Denham Court and Bardia were identified as examples of areas where a failure to factor in the speed of development left families without the local public schools they need.
The Leppington and Catherine Fields catchment grew 173 percent since 2018, while the Denham Court-Bardia catchment grew 290 percent, placing them within the top 10 growth in student enrolment in NSW.
Member for Leppington Nathan Hagarty has condemned the former Liberal-National Government following the release of the audit.
“I am shocked but not surprised by what this audit has revealed,’’ he said.
“Despite the huge growth in population, the previous government failed to deliver much needed schools and infrastructure.
“In just under 12 months, the Minns Labor government has set about fixing the education backlog in Leppington left by the previous government.
“We have committed to upgrading four primary schools, converting Eagle Vale into a specialist sports high school and are building a new high school in Leppington.”
The Enrolment Growth Audit can be found here: NSW Enrolment Growth Audit
Pictured above is Nathan Hagarty with education minister Prue Car at the Leppington high school announcement.
What about Gledswood Hills, Oran Park and Barramurra not to mention the lack of high schools.
The now suburb is Catherine Field. NOT fields . We’ve lost most of the heritage of Campbelltown please don’t let us lose the names