The Murrumbateman Primary School Working Group recently held a special meeting to discuss and present options for the development of a Murrumbateman school, with residents agreeing that it would be an important part of the community.
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Chairman of the working group, Mike Reid, said it was a terrific turn out, with MP Pru Goward attending, along with local councillors Jasmin Jones and Greg Butler.
“The verbal feedback we received was very supportive. I think people feel like the department's letting us down, that we have the numbers to go ahead with this but they keep changing their argument.”
Mr Reid said that attitude circulating is people are understanding that it’s going to be a long haul.
“It is frustrating but I think we’re now saying that if we’re going to do it we might as well make it a high school also. Honestly, they just want a school.”
NSW Planning Minister Pru Goward said that the reaction from the community was one of suprise.
“It seems pretty clear that people want a school and the departments have their strict rules and we’re not quite there yet,” Ms Goward said.
“The people aren’t happy and neither am I.
“Unfortunately we’re competing with the suburbs in Sydney that are growing and ... the Government won’t think about a new school unless there’s a minimum of 500 children ready to be enrolled and this has to grow to 700 in a couple of years.”
Ms Goward said that Murrumbateman is competing with areas that are growing faster, she urged the community to continue making a case as there are more than enough children for a basic school.
“I think it’s dreadful that people are obliged to take their children into ACT or drive back into Yass. It’s tough to get money for a school, it’s $12 million but we have to just keep on making the case."
Although other options were tabled, Ms Goward personally advocates public education.
“I think the government has that primary obligation, but if a catholic school feels like it can establish there and be viable then I guess that will give the people of Murrumbateman an option.
“In my own heart I think we need to just keep pressing for a public school.”