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

Plans for new public high schools in growing Googong and Bungendore unveiled

Thursday, 20 March 2025

The Minns Labor Government is making progress on its commitments to deliver a new high school for the growing Googong community and a new permanent high school for the Bungendore community, as designs for the schools are released for community feedback.

The new permanent Bungendore High School will open day 1, Term 1, 2027 on Birchfield Drive, Bungendore, with new classrooms including specialist support and STEM classrooms, a library, hall, canteen, sports field and agricultural plot.

The new high school at Googong will also open day 1, Term 1, 2027, on Wellsvale Drive, Googong. It will have new classrooms including specialist support and STEM classrooms, sports and recreation facilities, a multipurpose hall, library and canteen.

The delivery of both projects by the Minns Labor Government comes after the former Liberal and National government failed to deliver the schools these growing areas need. 

The planning applications for both schools, knowns as a Review of Environmental Factors (REF), are now on public exhibition until April 15. Responses will be reviewed and considered as part of the REF process.

Links to the REFs can be found on the project webpages which can be viewed at Bungendore High School and New high school for Googong.

A community information drop-in session for the new high school in Googong will be held at Googong Public School, 241 Gorman Drive, Googong from 3.30pm to 7pm on Thursday, 27 March. Community members can register for the information session here: New high school for Googong information session: Register your interest.

A community information session was held for Bungendore High School in December last year where the concept designs for the new high school were shared, along with plans to expand the temporary Bungendore High School for 2026.

The new high schools in Googong and Bungendore are some of the first new school projects to go through the streamlined REF process after the Minns Labor Government announced significant reforms to cut red tape and fast-track the delivery of new and upgraded schools. 

Comprehensive environmental impact assessments will continue to be conducted, along with consultation with the community, council and other stakeholders.

This is part of the NSW Government's plan to rebuild public education with record education funding delivered in the 2024-25 Budget, 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.

Minister for Education and Early Learning Prue Car said:

"We are proud to be delivering new high schools for both Bungendore and Googong after both communities had been let down by the former Liberal National Governments.

"We have streamlined the planning process for important school projects, with families in Bungendore and Googong among the first to benefit after they waited too long under the former Liberal and National government for these much-needed schools to be delivered.

"Detailed plans are now available to be viewed online, and feedback from the community is welcome.

"The Minns Labor Government is delivering the schools these growing communities deserve, ensuring every child can access a world class public education close to home."

Member for Monaro, Steve Whan said:

"It is wonderful to see the plans for our new Bungendore and Googong high schools becoming a reality for the Monaro region.

"When I was the local member last time, Googong was just a brand-new suburb. It's incredible to see how quickly the community has grown and now needs its own comprehensive high school.

"I made an election commitment to Googong School and I am thrilled we have moved to the next stage in the process.

"I know the Bungendore community is frustrated and has suffered while waiting for a new high school. I also recognise the division the project has caused the entire community.

"I'm so pleased to see this next planning milestone met, and to know we are one step closer to building these vital new schools.

"I encourage everyone to take the time to review the plans and provide important feedback."