Dr Gordon Moyes, NSW Family First Parliamentary Leader, welcomes the key finding of the Peters Inquiry into the future of Hurlstone Agricultural High School, which recommends that the school retains much of the current landholding. This will ensure the school’s capacity to continue to deliver a credible and authentic agricultural educational program, based on scientific and practical application.
The key finding represents a significant reversal to the privatisation of public assets and the downgrading of public education provision in New South Wales. The Inquiry was established as a result of considerable public and local school community outcry over plans by the NSW Government to sell off the majority portion of the site for private housing as a short term grab for cash by the State government.
It is likely that very little, if any, proceeds from the sale would have found their way back to the area. As well, the possibility of more private housing in the area would only provide further strain on an area of Sydney already witnessing the sale of private farms to address the housing demand.
The commitment from key stakeholders from the school community, together with a local community group known as SHEAP (Save Hurlstone Educational Agricultural Property) have actively campaigned to oppose the proposed sell off. NSW Family First recognises and congratulates all campaigners for their significant contribution in achieving this outcome from the Inquiry. To read Dr Moyes’ speech on Hurlstone Agricultural High School Site Bill, click on the link.