Sartor to consider private school and child care centre

By Kerri Carr

Independent Colleges Australia is a step closer to establishing a private school and child care centre at Kurri Kurri.

On April 18 Cessnock Council voted 9 to 4 to ask Planning Minister Frank Sartor to insert an enabling clause within the Cessnock Environmental Plan to permit an educational establishment (school) and child care centre within the Special Use Zone (Community) off Hospital Road, Kurri Kurri.

If the Minister signs off on the rezoning Cessnock Council can consider the development proposal (which was exhibited concurrently with the rezoning proposal) for stage 1 of the school, including the establishment of a child care centre.

A report to Cessnock Council states the Independent Colleges Australia college will be a staged development with four stages over the next five to eight years.

Stage 1 of the development includes the provision of an early learning centre (child care facility) and facilities to cater for students from kindergarten to year 3, on site parking facilities and sports oval. It is anticipated there will be 138 students requiring 10 teaching staff and 16 other staff.

When completed the college will cater for about 1500 students with 139 teaching and administration staff. Classes will range from an early childcare centre to preschool and then up to year 12. Facilities will comprise specialist classrooms, covered areas, an administration building, an auditorium, gymnasium and on site car parking facilities. Additional sporting facilities such as sports ovals, tennis courts and swimming pool are also being proposed with the overall master plan.

Coalfields Community Education Coalition opposes the proposal and will meet soon to discuss representations with the Minister.

Coalfields Community Education Coalition member and Cessnock Councillor James Ryan said Cessnock Council twice refused to allow the Cessnock Teachers Association to address the Council.

Mr Ryan said Weston and Kurri Kurri public schools had empty classrooms and there was an over supply of child care places in the local area with vacancies at every current provider.

"In practical terms the decision to rezone the land is the most crucial decision of all in determining where the school goes ahead," Mr Ryan said.

One of the Coalfields Community Education Coalition's concerns is whether Independent Colleges Australia, claiming a not-for-profit status (but previously linked with for-profit ABC Learning Centres) will be able to access State Government funding.

Independent Colleges Australia Limited shares two directors with ABC Learning Centres Limited.

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