New site for Bungendore school labelled 'a new beginning' for town after years of delay

A long-awaited Bungendore school will now be built at a new location, bringing an end to years-long uncertainty about the project that involved a court case, two sets of plans and students learning in demountables.

While the NSW Department of Education had initially pushed ahead with plans to build Bungendore High School at the Majara and Gibraltar streets precinct, the school will now be built on a four-hectare site on Birchfield Drive.

Member for Monaro Steve Whan said the announcement followed “years of unnecessary delays”.

“The former government’s secrecy failed to meet the community’s expectations, as did overly optimistic advice from the Department [of Education],” he said.

“I’m pleased the department has moved the location of the new Bungendore High School to a site that can be delivered as quickly as possible, and that can fit additional students to cater for the growing population.

“This has been a long and frustrating process for the entire community, and I thank you all for your patience while we finally get underway with building the new school.”

An independent review commissioned by School Infrastructure NSW had previously found the Gibraltar/Majara location was “significantly superior” to all others considered.

Save Bungendore Park, a community group that launched legal action in the NSW Land and Environment Court against the initial location and had lobbied the NSW Government to move the planned school, welcomed the change.

Spokesperson Maureen Elgood said the announcement represented “a new beginning for what has been a very troubled project”.

“The original plan was hatched in secret and presented to our community as a done deal. But it was obvious right from the start that the location simply didn’t work and could never offer our kids the school they deserved,” she said.

The first site was thrown into doubt when the NSW Land and Environment Court ruled consent had never been sought in the development application process.

Following the ruling, the plans were amended to remove portions of the school that were to be located on Crown land and any access points that ran through Crown land. When these amended plans were lodged, this meant some buildings and other infrastructure were removed, while student capacity – an estimated 450 students – and the number of staff – 41 people – were set to remain the same.

“We regret that it has taken four years to reach this point, and we regret that it has caused so much hurt in our community along the way,” said Ms Elgood.

“Hopefully this closes a very difficult chapter and gives us a chance to heal. And we hope the Department of Education has learned some valuable lessons about working with regional communities, not against them.”

According to the September 2024 project update from the NSW Department of Education, new plans for the Birchfield Drive site are yet to be developed.

“In time for the 2026 school year, further expansion of the high school will be planned on the existing facilities at the Majara Street site as a temporary solution, while the permanent school is built.

“Design and planning for this expansion will now commence in consultation with the school leadership. Further updates will be provided to the community on these plans shortly.”

Bungendore High School has been operating in purpose-built temporary facilities alongside Bungendore Public School since Term 1 2023. From Term 1 next year, the school will be open to students from Years Seven to 10.

The temporary high school will also expand to include classrooms within the former Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council offices at the Majara Street site while the permanent school is built.

Original Article published by Claire Sams on About Regional.