All new public schools being built across NSW will share their world-class facilities with their local community as the Minns Labor Government moves to expand the Share Our Space program and unlock vital publicly-owned green space and sporting facilities for use outside school hours.
More than 20 brand new public primary and high schools in some of the state's fastest-growing areas are set to open over the next two years, and will be automatically added to the program. This will ensure families, particularly those in Western Sydney, can access sports courts, ovals and playgrounds on weekends and school holidays.
This includes the recently completed Edmondson Park High School which will welcome Year 7 and 8 students from Day 1, Term 1 2027.
Edmondson Park was identified as one of the top 20 areas for student growth in New South Wales. After announcing a new high school in 2018, the previous Liberal-National Government left the community in the lurch by failing to build it.
The Minns Labor Government has now delivered the 40 classroom school which will cater for 800 students and has been designed to support future expansion of up to 2,000 students. The new school includes a gym, outdoor sports court and fields, a library, lecture theatre and specialist hubs for performing arts, sciences and food technology.
Last year, the Minns Labor Government trialled an expansion of the Share Our Space program by providing access to facilities at 65 schools during the school term, including after hours, which delivered more than 27,500 additional hours of free community access.
All of those schools have now joined the program in an ongoing capacity, bringing the total number of schools now under the program to almost 250. Share Our Space ties into broader NSW Government initiatives aimed at providing more quality public open spaces for the community and encouraging recreation and physical activity amongst young people.
In addition to expanding the Share Our Space program in all new schools, the Department of Education is working to bring even more schools on board over the next year with priority given to schools in areas with the greatest need for access to open space and outdoor recreation facilities.
This is part of the Minns Labor Government's work to build stronger communities, which includes delivering 260 new and upgraded public schools and public preschools across the state, ensuring families have access to a world-class public education close to home.
The Minns Labor Government's abolishment of the Liberals and Nationals wages cap delivered NSW teachers the biggest pay rise in a generation which has driven down teacher vacancies to their lowest level in 12 years.
A full list of schools currently taking part in the Share Our Space program can be accessed here: https://www.schoolinfrastructure.nsw.gov.au/what-we-do/we-support-communities/share-our-space.html
Schools opening in 2027 that will automatically join the Share Our Space program include:
- Edmondson Park High School
- Jordan Springs High School
- Leppington High School
- Medowie High School
- Melrose Park High School
- Tallawong High School
- Gables Public School
- Macquarie Park Public School
- Gledswood Hills High School
- Wilton High School
- Wilton Ridge Public School
- Googong High School
- Bungendore High School
- Willyama High School
Premier of New South Wales Chris Minns said:
"Our school ovals and sports courts are too valuable to sit unused behind locked gates when there are no kids in the classroom.
"We've already opened up these facilities to the community at nearly 250 schools across the state. Now, we're making sure every new public school built in New South Wales does the same.
"This means more communities can access sporting facilities like those here at Edmondson Park High School, outside school hours and during the school holidays."
Deputy Premier of New South Wales and Minister for Education and Early Learning Prue Car said:
"The Minns Labor Government is delivering record funding for new and upgraded schools across NSW, and we want schools to be able to share these world-class public facilities with their communities so that everyone can benefit.
"Giving local families access to space and facilities in schools that would otherwise be locked up after school, over weekends and during school holidays, is something that just makes sense.
"Growing communities need public schools and public spaces - and ensuring every new public school that we build can share its facilities is about building better, more connected local communities."
Member for Macquarie Fields Anoulack Chanthivong said:
"Local families have been eagerly awaiting a local public high school in Edmondson Park, and now finally we can look forward to the first intake of students in 2027.
"The new school will mean more opportunities for local students, reduced travel time and access to modern facilities. It is one of the many ways the Minns Labor Government is delivering for our fast-growing communities in Western Sydney.
"I would like to thank local families for their advocacy and support of our community campaign over many years for our fair share."
