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Question and Answer Tracking Details

7547 - Education and Early Childhood Learning - SOUTH WEST GROWTH CENTRE

Mookhey, Daniel to the Minister for Education and Early Childhood Learning

(1) What planning has the Government undertaken of the expected demand for school places over the next two decades in the South West Growth Centre?

(2) What are the number and size of schools that will be needed as well as the estimated numbers of teaching staff to meet this demand?

(3) The NSW Education Act provides that it is the duty of the State to ensure that every child receives an education of the highest quality; and that the principal responsibility of the State in the education of children is the provision of public education:

(a) Do all aspects of the Government’s planning for the provision of schools in the South West Growth Centre comply with the Act?

(i) Please provide the analysis which had been done to ensure compliance with the Act?

(4) Are the Government’s plans for the provision of schools in the South West Growth Centre publicly available?

(a) If not, why not?

(5) What assumptions  do the Government’s plans make about the number of non-government schools and places in the South West Growth Centre?

(a) Do these plans include sites earmarked by the Government for non-government schools

(i) If so, how many?

(6) Has the Government had discussions with any non-government school authorities, including the Catholic Education Office or the Association of Independent Schools, about the development of new private schools in the South West Growth Centre?

(7) Has the Government given any assurances to non-government school authorities or interest groups regarding the establishment of new government and non-government schools in this area?
Answer -

(1-2) The Department of Education continuously monitors population and development trends so that it can plan to meet enrolment needs in government schools across NSW. Longer term projections are informed by census data, as well as dwelling and population forecasts, provided by the Department of Planning Industry and Environment (DPIE) in conjunction with local councils. DPIE prepares and releases these population projections to NSW Government agencies, and other organisations including Councils, to ensure a consistent view of the future NSW population. This enables NSW Government agencies to work with an agreed set of projections for proposals, business plans and strategies. 

The Department’s NSW student population projections are based on the NSW Population Projections. School Infrastructure NSW produces a range of investment cases and major projects for increasing supply, which are Cabinet in Confidence until approved by the NSW Government.

More information about planning for growth and school projects across NSW can be found on the Department’s website at

https://www.schoolinfrastructure.nsw.gov.au/what-we-do/we-build-schools/planning-for-growth-fact-sheet.html.

(3)

(a)

(i) Ensuring that students have access to a high quality education is of the utmost priority. The Department has a responsibility to provide a place in a local government school for every student seeking to enrol and we will always honour that commitment.

  Numerous strategies are used in the short to medium term to manage fluctuating enrolment demand, such as reviewing school intake areas, enforcing the Department’s enrolment policy, and the use of demountable buildings. The utilisation of demountable buildings also allows the Department to be highly responsive to school enrolment needs. In cases of sustained and longer term enrolment growth, capital works interventions may be considered.

(4) Information regarding school infrastructure projects is made available on the Department’s website at https://www.schoolinfrastructure.nsw.gov.au/.

(5)

(a)

(i) The Department refers to the Australian Bureau of Statistics for government and non-government assumptions. The Department is aware that non-government education providers may purchase land zoned for education establishments. 

  The Department does not earmark sites for non-government schools. That is a matter for the non-government school sector.

(6-7) The Department works with a range of stakeholders when planning to address enrolment growth and school infrastructure needs in the South West Growth Area.

Question asked on 21 September 2021 (session 57-1) and published in Questions & Answers Paper No. 589
Answer received on 12 October 2021 and published in Questions & Answers Paper No. 602

The Parliament of New South Wales acknowledges and respects the traditional lands of all Aboriginal people, and pays respects to all Elders past and present. We acknowledge the Gadigal people as the traditional custodians of the land on which the Parliament of New South Wales stands.