Construction is now underway on major upgrades for two public schools in Sydney's South West growth area as Minns Labor Government delivers world-class public education facilities to growing communities that were neglected by the former Liberal and National government.
Work has begun on major upgrades at Leppington Public School and Austral Public School to meet enrolment demand amid some of the fastest population growth in NSW, which was inadequately planned for and left both schools reliant on demountables.
Both schools will have more than 20 new permanent classrooms added, including specialised support classrooms. Leppington Public School will also receive a new hall, covered outdoor learning area (COLA) and a public preschool that will ensure local families have access to high-quality, free early education.
The upgrades will more than double the permanent capacity of both schools, with a second stage of upgrade works to further expand capacity. In total, more than 40 demountables will be removed from the two schools once the upgrades are complete, opening up more playground space for students.
With both sites established and contracts awarded to ADCO Constructions, major works have now begun, with the first stages of the upgrades due to open by Day 1, Term 1, 2027.
It comes as the delivery of the Minns Labor Government's record pipeline of new and upgraded schools shifts into high gear this term, with work set to commence on more than 20 major capital works projects - which will include the new high school for Leppington - before the end of Term 3.
The upgrades are being delivered as part of the Minns Labor Government's plan to rebuild public education, with the 2025-26 Budget delivering a record $9 billion for school infrastructure, including $3.9 billion for new and upgraded schools in Western Sydney. This targeted investment will ensure growing communities get access to a world class public education.
The Leppington-Catherine Field area was identified as one of NSW's top 10 student growth areas in the 2024 Enrolment Growth Audit, with its student population almost tripling from 2018 to 2022. Despite this growth, the Liberals' poor planning forced local schools to rely on demountables.
The Minns Labor Government is delivering the following major projects across the South West growth corridor:
- New high school in Leppington
- New high school in Edmondson Park
- New permanent facilities for Gledswood Hills High School
- New public primary school and public preschool in Emerald Hills
- Upgrades at Leppington Public School, Austral Public School, Greenway Park Public School and Dalmeny Public School
- Upgrades supporting new sports stream at Eagle Vale High School
Acting Minister for Education and Early Learning Courtney Houssos said:
"The Minns Labor Government is delivering new and upgraded schools to meet the needs of communities in Western Sydney like Leppington and Austral, which have grown rapidly over the past decade while the Liberals failed to properly plan or build local schools for the families moving into the area.
"We are building better communities Western Sydney by ensuring families in growing suburbs have access to world-class local public schools and preschools."
Member for Leppington Nathan Hagarty said:
"We have a rapidly growing community in Leppington, and families here deserve access to world-class public schools to help students get the best start in life and reach their full potential.
"These major upgrades for local public schools, including the addition of a new public preschool, will benefit the whole community for years to come."
Leppington Public School Principal Hayley Corvini said:
"I am thrilled these school upgrades are starting, which will include a multipurpose hall and collaborative and innovative work spaces for our students - and a public preschool for the littlest members of the Leppington family.
"An added benefit is our staff will embrace the real-world learning opportunities that will come from the onsite build process, allowing us to engage students in authentic mathematical, engineering, and problem-solving activities as they see the development unfold."
Austral Public School Principal Khaled Elhage said:
"I am excited to see the huge change that the new build will have on the entire school community for students, staff and parents and carers.
"Austral Public School is celebrating 134 years of teaching and learning in the NSW Department of Education and our community has grown significantly over the past five years.
"The new build will provide new learning spaces where our students can shine and succeed across a range of learning areas academically, socially and emotionally."
