07 May 2025.
I speak on the exciting new infrastructure that is coming to Wollondilly. I say this recognising that it has been generations since the Wollondilly shire has received any brand-new infrastructure of significant size. Sure, we get additions and upgrades to halls and sports fields, and we did get the massive performing arts centre that I had the fortune to negotiate as mayor—it was a luxury item, not a critical necessity. But it is with such joy that I speak about the brand-new high school in the new growth area of Wilton. It was originally going to be another primary school, and one that I and my community would have been fortunate to receive. But with only one high school for an area the size of the Sydney Basin, and with 30,000 homes due to be built on top of the 40,000 homes we have so far, that was not good enough. The last school built in the area before this was in 1958. There is one other school in my electorate, so there are currently only two. This new school will make three.
I thank the education Minister and her staff for their willingness to meet with me and listen to my concerns. At a meeting late last year with the Minister and representatives of the department I suggested that the primary school for the growth area be designated a high school and fast-tracked. The entire community and I are so pleased that the Government heard our request and took our concerns on board. It will be fast-tracked indeed—there will be a K to 12, with a pre-school to come. Even better, the first cohort of the high school—not primary school—will be in 2027, before the next election. Election promise made, election promise fought for, election promise heard, and now, I am pleased to say as an Independent, election promise delivered. It took hard work, a willing government, some persistent staff and the guts to stick by your conscience.
I cannot wait for the school, where I think the opportunities will be wonderful. I have already received a lot of support for the project. I thank the council for its kind words and assistance in the past when it has raised the matter. I also thank the community—the many hundreds of people who filled in my surveys, the thousands who voted for me and the regulars who come by my office just to check that I am not giving up on the matter. I also thank the parents of students who have recently moved into their forever homes in Wollondilly and who have called for a high school for their children. In particular, I thank one student who will be in year 7 in the first cohort, Emma Wilson, who wrote to me with such excitement about news of the high school. Her life and the lives of so many young people will be changed because of this.
Emma went to great lengths designing a whole book of uniforms that are based on red and black—a contrast to the blue and black of Picton High School—which reflects a connection to the west. A primary student's drawing of a red-and-black logo circling an open book shows how much it means to her. I am also told that her uniforms were designed specifically so as not to clash with her red hair. I know the road to delivering this high school has been long. I have spoken many times in this place of the need for it. I do not want to diminish a wonderful moment by talking about how and why it was not delivered previously. Now is not the time. It does not need to be said because the results speak for themselves. I say to the Wollondilly electorate: Enjoy your brand‑new high school.