Oak Flats Land Debate Delays New High School
Illawarra Mercury
Monday March 3, 2003
SHELLHARBOUR City Council's decision to further investigate options for land at Oak Flats will delay construction of a new Catholic high school by at least a year.
Residents have the next four months to express their opinions on what to do with more than 5ha of land at Lot 100 on Industrial Rd, Oak Flats.
One option before the council is an application from the Catholic Education Office (CEO) to buy the land and build a $16million school.
The application is on hold until at least July when the council will receive a report on the various options.
Although CEO director Greg Whitby welcomed the consultation period, he said a lack of student places in Shellharbour would mean many parents would have to send their children out of the area for their education.
``Our position is that we are under significant pressure to provide places in schools and have been for the last several years," Mr Whitby said.
``Our concern is how do we meet that pressure next year? The council's decision has now put off our plans until at least 2005."
Mr Whitby said if the DA had been approved the CEO would have fast tracked plans to build demountables as early as next year to take the overflow from St Joseph's Catholic High School, Albion Park.
At last week's council meeting he said St Joseph's was designed for only 600-700 students and was now ``bursting at the seams" with at least 1000 enrolments.
A new co-educational Catholic high school would cater for 1000 students from Gerroa to Unanderra.
``We welcome the opportunity to present our case as part of the community because we have a lot to contribute," Mr Whitby said.
During the meeting, Councillor John Murray said a final report would indicate preferred land usage, cost benefits and issues of concern for the Oak Flats land.
``I think we just need to give people their say on it first."
Other options flagged by the council are a dog exercise gym or a cycleway from Slater's Bridge to Albion Park Rail.
© 2003 Illawarra Mercury