Prue Car
Deputy Premier of New South Wales
Minister for Education and Early Learning
Minister for Western Sydney

Steve Whan
Member for Monaro

MEDIA RELEASE

New site confirmed for Bungendore High School

Wednesday, 11 September 2024

The Minns Labor Government will build the permanent Bungendore High School on a new, larger site that will accommodate a growing population and end years of delay after the Liberals' and Nationals' poor planning let this community down.

To ensure the long-awaited new high school can be delivered as quickly as possible, the Department of Education conducted due diligence work in recent months, which considered alternative site options for the school after The Land and Environment Court overturned the previous planning approval following a challenge by a local community group.

The Court's ruling in December last year was the culmination in a series of disappointments felt by local families and followed the selection of the Majara Street site by the former government. This led to ongoing challenges to the school's approval, leaving local families without the permanent school they need and deserve.

Following the Court's decision, the Department apologised for the delays caused by the previous planning failures, and committed to considering alternative options.

The Department's review determined that a four-hectare site on Birchfield Drive site in North Bungendore presents the most viable locations for the new permanent high school. 

The department has now acquired the site and has begun work on design and planning for the new school, with the aim of opening early 2027.

The site is located in a new residential area of Bungendore which is being developed as the town expands, in line with the Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council's Bungendore Structure Plan 2048.

The new site is larger than the Majara Street site, including space for a full-size playing field, and the new school will be able to accommodate predicted enrolment growth. 

Bungendore High School has been operational in purpose-built temporary facilities alongside Bungendore Public School since Term 1, 2023. From Term 1 next year, the school will be open to students from Years 7 top 10.

The temporary high school will also expand to include classrooms within the former Council offices at the Majara Street site while the permanent school is built. Work on the design and planning for this is underway. 

Once the new school is complete, the Department will engage with the local community about future uses of the Majara Street Site.

As part of the NSW Government's plan to rebuild public education, the 2024-25 Budget is delivering record education funding, including $1.4 billion for new and upgraded schools in regional NSW. This targeted investment will ensure growing communities get access to a world class public education. 

For more information on the new high school in Bungendore, visit: Bungendore High School (nsw.gov.au)

Deputy Premier and Minister for Education and Early Learning Prue Car said:

"Families have been rightly frustrated by the uncertainty over when their high school would be able to be built. With the securing of a new site, we will end the uncertainty and deliver a fit-for-purpose school as quickly as possible.

"Families in this area have waited too long for this much-needed new public high school, after poor planning by the former Liberal National Government caused division in the community. 

"This site will ensure we are able to provide the best public education and facilities for students in Bungendore well into the future."

Member for Monaro Steve Whan said:

"After years of unnecessary delays, I welcome today's announcement, as we start a new chapter on this project.

"The former government's secrecy failed to meet the community's expectations, as did over optimistic advice from the Department.

"I'm pleased the Department has moved the location of the new Bungendore High School to a site that can be delivered as quickly as possible, and that can fit additional students to cater for the crowing population.

"This has been a long and frustrating process for the entire community, and I thank you all for your patience while we finally get underway with building the new school.

"I look forward to welcoming students to the new school in 2027."