The Upper House Education Committee’s Report into school infrastructure reveals the Perrottet Government has failed to deliver schools according to need and failed to properly plan for new schools needed in Greater Western Sydney.
 
The report found:
 

• “That like most areas of government spending, school capital works have been susceptible to pork barrelling.”
• “Poor demographic planning has had a significant negative effect on a number of school communities, leading to overcrowded schools, longer-than-acceptable commutes to the nearest school and a growing disillusionment with School Infrastructure NSW’s ability to respond to population growth.”
• “School Infrastructure NSW has failed to secure ownership of land for new schools within greenfield development sites in a timely manner.”

 
The report recommends the NSW Government:
 

• Improve demographic planning to prevent further school delays and overcrowding in growth areas.  
• Change its policy so no school is left with more than 50% of students in demountables.
• Provide transparent timeframes for promised projects.
• Remove gag orders on parent representatives from speaking to their school community about projects.

The Upper House Education Committee held four hearings since March, and heard from parents across New South Wales about school building delays and overcrowding.

The report follows revelations in July 2022 that the Perrottet Government had underspent on promised school building by $1.26 billion.

This Government’s record on school infrastructure is appalling and well documented, particularly in high growth areas such as in Sydney’s North West and South West.

9 out of 10 of the most overcapacity schools are in Greater Western Sydney schools and schools in suburbs such as Rydalmere, Marsden Park, Tallawong and Gregory Hills have been promised but not built.

NSW Labor Deputy Leader and Shadow Education Minister Prue Car said:

“The NSW Liberal Nationals Government rejected projects labelled as “critical” and “urgent”, leaving many school communities waiting for schools that never arrive.”

“The Perrottet Government’s mismanagement has left school communities across the state in frustration, with undelivered commitments and project planning delays which seemingly have no end.”

“The legacy of this 12-year-old government on schools is delayed schools, demountables on playgrounds, and empty promises to families that continue to let the community down.”
PRUE CAR MP
NSW LABOR DEPUTY LEADER
SHADOW MINISTER FOR EDUCATION