NEW SCHOOL

FACT SHEET
October 2012

The NSW government recognises the important contribution that schoolcommunity partnerships make not only to
educational outcomes but also to strong and vibrant communities. This new school will be delivered in the City of Canada
Bay as a result of a joint venture between the NSW Department of Education and Communities and the City of Canada Bay.

This pilot project is a joint venture between the NSW government and the City of Canada Bay that will encourage shared
use of school facilities by the community to service a broad range of community needs at a single location.

By combining funds, resources and expertise such partnerships expand the possibilities available to the school, Coun cil and
the community organisations. Partnerships and collaboration are essential for the best delivery of early childhood education
and services.

In June 2012, an announcement was made by the NSW Government Department of Education and Communities (DEC), in
conjunction with the City of Canada Bay about the building of a new school in Concord West. Funding for the delivery of the
project is being provided by the NSW Government with the City of Canada Bay providing the land located in Victoria
Avenue, Concord West.

The new school will cater for approximately six hundred primary school aged children, including four special education
classes. In addition, the project will see the upgrade of the existing sporting fields and amenities as well as additional
community facilities and services offered in the precinct.

The new school is due to open in Term 1, 2015.

NEW SCHOOL
FACT SHEET
October 2012

What will the new school include?

The new school will cater for six hundred primary aged children, including four special education classes. School facilities
will also include two special programs rooms, administration/staff areas, library, communal hall/covered outdoor learning
space, canteen, student facilities, games court and a parent drop-off area.

In addition there will be shared use of community focussed facilities. This will include the existing sporting field and
amenities rooms (which will be upgraded), car parking and access ways, as well as access to the community hall outside of
school hours.

Additional facilities and services for the area are also under discussion to meet the needs of the local community. This
includes provision of early childhood health services, out of school hours care and early childhood care.

Why is it needed?
The need for a new school was identified due to significant population growth in the Rhodes area, the Parramatta Road
Corridor and Strathfield North. There is limited capacity for expansion at Concord West and Strathfield North Public
Schools.

The new school will ease pressure on current local schools.

In addition to the new school in Victoria Avenue, which is due to open in 2015, an additional new school is also scheduled to
open in Wentworth Point in 2017.

Where will the students come from?

Students for the new school will be drawn from the local areas. The boundaries and enrolment process will be available in
the near future.

Where will those students go until the new school is built?

Whilst the new school is under construction students will continue to be enrolled at Concord West and Strathfield North
Primary Schools through maximising permanent classroom space and providing demountables as required. Principals at
both schools will constantly monitor enrolments and the requirements of the schools.

When will things happen?

Set out below is the indicative timeframe for the project:

Concept design and development application - end of 2012

DA for remediation was late 2012

DA for construction mid December & notification until mid January

Early works site preparation - late 2012/early 2013

DA process early/late 2013

Construction commencing - second half of 2013

Building complete - December 2014

School opens January 2015

NEW SCHOOL
FACT SHEET
October 2012

Where the project is up to now?

A Project Control Group (PCG), convened by the NSW Department of Educational and Communities has been formed and
meets regularly. The PCG consists of representatives from the NSW Department of Education and Communities,
Government architects, Department of Public Works, City of Canada Bay and two community representatives.

The PCG is currently working through the needs of the school and broader community to ensure that educational and
community needs can be accommodated. Below are the members of the PCG:

Cameron Lang, , DEC

Project Director

Peter Hogan, Project Manager, NSW Public Works

Project Manager

Cathy Kubany, Government Architects Office

School design

Dillon Kombumerri, Government Architects Office

School design

Veronica Kapsimali, School Education Director Strathfield Area

Education related matters

DEC
Karen Mortimer, Principal Concord West Public School DEC

Education related matters

Frances Brewer, Principal Strathfield North Public School DEC

Education related matters

Gary Sawyer, General Manager, City of Canada Bay

Council direction, decision making and resourcing

Lisa Miscamble, Director, Community Development, City of

Shared community and sporting facilities

Canada Bay
Louise Hemmes-Green

Parent representative

Harry Harris

Resident representative from Victoria Avenue, Concord

West

Over the past three months two community meetings have been held to provide information about the project and also seek
feedback on issues and concerns of key stakeholders, families with children as well as local residents.

Set out below are the issues raised so far and actions resulting:

What we heard

Response so far

Concerns about traffic

Traffic specialist just engaged. Design aimed at maximising parent

drop off and bus turn around on site

Concerns about parking

Traffic specialist will also consider parking arrangements / needs

Contamination issues on site

Specialist engaged to undertake more studies and developing

remediation action plan

Noise issues associated with

proximity to Homebush Bay Drive

Acoustic specialist engaged; Design to address where possible

Flooding issues

Specialist engaged

Impact on adjoining neighbours

Design to minimise impact on neighbours

Need for better communication with

community

2 community have been invited onto the PCG; an email list

established; Information to be made available via Councils website

NEW SCHOOL
FACT SHEET
October 2012
What we heard

Response so far

Need for Outside School Hours

Care

Will be included in the new school

Need for childcare facilities

Under discussion

Implications for existing Lapidary

Club

Council & DEC have had discussions with Lapidary Club to look at
options

How can I stay informed?

Further Community Meetings are scheduled at the Concord West Primary School for:

Thursday 18 October, 6-8pm to provide an opportunity for the Traffic and Parking consultant to provide
feedback to the Community on investigations so far and seek feedback

Wednesday 12 December, 6-8pm at Strathfield North Public School project update

An email list has been established so people can receive regular updates. Information will also be provided through the
Concord West and Strathfield North Public School newsletters, Councils website and newsletters.

If you would like to register for email updates please email newschool@canadabay.nsw.gov.au

Who can I contact?

Education related matters School Education Director, Veronica Kapsimali on 9582 6300

Project related matters Cameron Lang on 9561 1224

Community facilities and sporting use - Council Customer Service Centre on 9911 6555