CALLS for a new school at Estella are growing louder and stronger, with residents demanding that the wheels of bureaucracy need to start turning – and quickly.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
It comes as the suburb continues its remarkable transformation from the sole domain of university students and the elderly to a haven for young families.
Real estate agents and property developers are striking it rich as subdivisions sell in record time – and council population forecasts predict the area will host 10,000 people within the next decade.
“The time to start building the new school is now,” said Graham Cotter, a father of two and spokesman for the Estella Progress Association.
“I don’t think this can wait – not only is this suburb growing, but the people who are growing it are young families.”
Mr Cotter said the growth was putting undue pressure on North Wagga Public School, the closest school for Estella families to send their children.
“I’ve heard it could even be at capacity in some circumstances and parents have had to enrol their children at Wagga Public,” he said.
“That’s not sustainable.”
Wagga MP Daryl Maguire this week said he would push for a slice of the pie brought about by the state’s keenly awaited $20 billion plan to privatise poles and wires.
While council has set aside land for a school, located at the corner of Avocet and Rainbow Drive, it is unlikely the education department is “build-ready”.
It is understood council has not yet been approached about the transfer of the allocated land.
And Mr Maguire could be taking a longer term view than residents, who have also battled to finally see the day of the protracted development of the Estella shopping centre, which has hit new delays.
“Look, I don’t think people are knocking down the doors as yet (for a new school),” Mr Maguire said on Thursday.
“It’s not urgent, but it is something I’d like to see in the future because there is only one way we can grow out – and that’s to the north.”
Wagga mayor Rod Kendall said he was pleased to see that the issue was on the agenda and, potentially pressuring Mr Maguire to keep it front of mind, thanked the MP for putting it on his poles and wires wishlist.
An education department spokesman said planning for any new school in Wagga would be thorough.
