A petition calling for a high school at Pottsville is set to be tabled in parliament.
Labour MLC Walter Secord agreed to table a hard copy of the petition following a meeting with concerned residents and parents in Pottsville last week.
The fast-growing Tweed Coast from Fingal to Pottsville is currently serviced by one high school at Kingscliff.
Pottsville Community Association High School Committee chair Troy Potter said a cross section of the community met last week to speak to Mr Secord and Federal Labour MP for Richmond Justine Elliot.
“I know there were many more who wanted to be there but couldn’t make it,” Mr Potter said.
“We had a great cross section of our community attend and the presence of so many kids in attendance had a positive impact on our guests.
“Given the specific issues listed below, it is clear that the current government is in a position to build a high school in the area and political will is all that stands in the way.
“Walter Secord agreed to table a hard copy of our petition in Parliament as well as writing a letter to the Minister requesting some information and explanations that were raised at the meeting.
“Ms Elliot was familiar with the issues and agreed to work with us and Mr Secord in promoting them at every opportunity.”
He said there were a number of issues discussed during the meeting including the fact that there had been no land allocated for a high school in Pottsville or surrounding areas although there are suitable sites.
“It will cost $10M to $12M to build a new school, which, given the Governments budget, is not a restraint,” he said.
“It will take two to five years to build a new school. This means current primary school students will have to travel to Banora Point and Tweed River High when Kingscliff is full which is not too far in the future.
“Local primary and high school enrollments are high and growing along with population forecasts. A second primary school is already planned for Pottsville.
“Student travel times are already excessive and will only get worse.
“The 15,000 new residential housing lots on the Tweed will more than make up for any excess capacity at Kingscliff, Banora Point and Tweed River High schools.”
Mr Potter urged local Tweed Coast residents to sign the petition and to write or email
their local Parliamentary representative.
NSW Member for Tweed Geoff Provest said he was continuing to work towards getting a second high school for the region.
“Although I have not been successful in obtaining a positive outcome as yet, this is something I feel strongly about and I will continue to lobby and pressure the Minister and Department of Education on this issue,” he said.
Those interested in signing the on-line petition should contact Mr Potter on Troy Potter troypot@gmail.com.
