(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.