Bungendore high school - planning is underway

In late September 2019, members of the Bungendore High School Action Group (BHSAG) and the Bungendore P&C met, with officials from the NSW Department of Education to discuss the project underway to build a high school in Bungendore.

Schools Infrastructure NSW, Chief Operating Officer, Erik Maranik, and Infrastructure Planning, Executive Director, Martin Karm, travelled to Bungendore to provide a ‘project lifecycle’ briefing and answer questions about the planning, design and construction processes involved in bringing the school to fruition.

Mr. Maranik confirmed that the project brief provided for a year seven and eight intake in term one, 2023. However, this is a ‘worst-case scenario’ and Schools Infrastructure is looking at ‘transitional arrangements’ to enable a 2022 starting cohort. He also emphasised that a lot of work had to occur before the community would see construction underway.

As part of the early planning work to date, a Schools Infrastructure team has been actively developing the statutory and regulatory documentation required for the project, including working through the processes needed to source an appropriate site. Mr. Maranik said that whilst the community cannot see this work being done, as due diligence requires confidentiality, he expected more public processes to become apparent by mid-November.

The five stages of new school projects - early planning, project planning, project approvals, project delivery and project completion - include consultation with the community, school staff, and parents, said Mr. Maranik. In the second stage of project planning, this consultation will involve establishing a Project Reference Group - to help shape the educational and concept design, as well as, inform the planning process. School Infrastructure NSW’s focus is to build a technically-enabled school, designed and built (with flexibility in mind) to meet current and future educational needs of the local community.

Mr. Maranik outlined the necessary processes that Schools Infrastructure is going through in the first stage; these involve endorsement of a Service Needs Report, development of a Strategic Business Case, and initial engagement with key stakeholders from the school community.

As an interim measure until the school is built, and because so many local parents commute into Canberra, Mr. Maranik agreed to investigate if the ACT Government would consider opening cross-border access to Campbell High School and Dickson College.

The Schools Infrastructure website will provide updates as they become available. For further information, to comment or as questions, individuals can contact the Department through the above link. BHSAG will also provide updates as we become aware of them. See www.bungendorehighschoolactiongroup.org or follow us on Facebook.