New Wee Waa High School: Department of Education publishes response to submissions on $37.8 million new school

The Department of Education (DoE) has published its response to submissions for the $37.8 million new school, addressing concerns raised by Narrabri Shire Council.

In its submission, the council claimed the government had not "sufficiently addressed" an alternative site and that children would be put at "extreme risk" of death by drowning by the proposed drainage system.

The department's planning team said the proposed site on Mitchell Street - adjacent to the town's public school - is still the most suitable.

It said other sites were dismissed because they would need to be rezoned, adding significant time to the project.

"A number of sites were considered for the development of a new school, including the existing school site, the showgrounds site and an alternative park site near the existing public school," a department spokesperson said in the response.

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"The proposed site was chosen since it comprised part DoE owned land, had sufficient street frontages, school development is permissible on the site.

"DoE believes that this location will enhance learning opportunities for Wee Waa's primary and secondary students, build on the strong bond shared by both schools and provide an opportunity for the broader community to benefit from facilities."

The new school was promised to the community in July last year, after dozens of students and staff became sick with a mould-related illness.

Students at the current school are being accommodated in temporary facilities at the town's public school, and the department said it has fast-tracked the new school as "an urgent priority".

The Department of Planning is now assessing the state-significant project, with works on-site due to begin in mid to late 2022.

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