The Minns Labor Government will deliver a new public primary school in the rapidly-growing suburb of Chisholm as part of its work to ensure every child in the Hunter has access to a world-class public education on their doorstep.
The new public school will be built on a 2.9 hectare site at 547 Raymond Terrace Road, and it is fully funded as part of the 2026-27 NSW Budget.
The new primary school will open Day 1, Term 1, 2030, for up to 1,000 students, future-proofing public education in the region and easing enrolment pressure on local schools. This includes nearby Thornton Public School which is undergoing upgrades to increase capacity after years of neglect and planning failures by the former Liberal and National government.
Chisholm is amongst the fastest-growing communities in NSW, with significant population growth over the last 15 years, and the project will be the first new public school built in Maitland since 2007.
The announcement is a clear demonstration that the Minns Labor Government is using the 2026-27 Budget to support families with essential services and infrastructure as their communities grow.
Planning is now underway for the new school, with facilities including modern classrooms with shared common areas, multipurpose spaces, support classrooms, a multipurpose hall, games court, sports field, and a preschool.
The Hunter is home to some of the fastest growing communities in NSW, with thousands of young families moving into suburbs neglected by the former Liberal National government, where essential infrastructure has not kept pace.
The project further expands the Minns Labor Government's record $9 billion investment in new and upgraded schools, which includes $2.1 billion in regional NSW.
In the Hunter region, this includes:
- New public school, preschool and high school in Huntlee
- New high school in Medowie
- Redevelopment of Gillieston Public School
- Thornton Public School upgrade
As part of its commitment to deliver 100 new public preschools in areas of greatest need across NSW, the Minns Labor Government is also delivering 12 public preschools across the Hunter region.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Education and Early Learning Prue Car said:
"Chisholm is one of the fastest-growing suburbs in regional NSW, and the Minns Labor Government is proud to be investing in the essential infrastructure like public schools to support families in this booming area.
"This new primary school and preschool will be a landmark investment for the area, providing local students access to a world-class public education that will set them up for life.
"Delivering quality schools for growing regional communities like Maitland is central to this government's commitment to rebuilding public education across NSW."
Treasurer Daniel Mookhey said:
"This budget continues the critical job of rebuilding public education in regional NSW.
"Working families should be able to access a quality education in a world class learning facility, no matter where they live.
"This Government understands that an investment in public education is one that delivers dividends for a lifetime."
Member for Maitland Jenny Aitchison said:
"A great local school benefits far more than the students who walk through its gates each day.
"It strengthens families and attracts new ones, supports local jobs and helps build the kind of connected and thriving community we all want to be part of.
"Maitland is the fastest growing LGA in New South Wales outside of Western Sydney for over two decades. This is the first new school that has been built since 2007, and the suburb of Chisholm was built without any new schools. This investment is a vote of confidence in Maitland's future.
"I'm proud to be part of a Minns Labor Government which is delivering much needed infrastructure for our fast-growing communities."
