Last chance to oppose rezoning for private school

Cessnock City Council has extend the exhibition period for the local environment plan (LEP) amendment and development application regarding Independent Colleges Australia's application to build a $25 million private college at Kurri Kurri until February 14.

Cessnock City Council executive planner Jacqui Tupper said the land proposed for the school was currently zoned community uses and the LEP amendment would allow consideration for a school in the zone.

The Statement of Environmental Effects presented to Council outlines that Independent Colleges Australia proposes a four-stage development of an eight hectare site over the next five to eight years. When completed, the college will cater for about 1500 students with 139 teaching and administrative staff. There will be an early learning childcare centre through to year 12.

The current development application is for stage 1 of the project, incorporating the early childcare centre, administrative building and classrooms for pre-school to year 6, car parking and a sports oval.

Independent Colleges Australia, claiming a not-for-profit status, has previously been linked to for-profit ABC Learning Centres.

The Coalfields Community Education Coalition opposes the setting up of a school seeking profit from school education and rezoning the land.

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