Media release 17 Sep: Action overdue for new Thurgoona School

Member for Albury Justin Clancy MP has raised in Parliament today, concerns over the lack of progress on the new public school in Thurgoona, as the population of the growth corridor is predicted to increase from 11,882 to 17,654 by 2036.

“I first addressed the NSW Parliament about the need for a new Thurgoona public school in 2021. Through ongoing advocacy, the former Liberals-Nationals Government committed to a new school and allocated $1.73 million towards planning for the new Thurgoona public school in the 2022-23 NSW Budget.

“We have made several representations since then on the progress of the new school, and the latest correspondence my office has received from NSW Deputy Premier and Education Minister Prue Car, reveals no site options have been confirmed and as yet no information for the community on its size, facilities, and costings”, said Mr Clancy.

“Whilst I welcome the commitment by the Minns Government that the new Thurgoona public school will also have a new public preschool built alongside it, given the commitment is for this to be delivered to our community by 2027 the clock is well and truly ticking,” Mr Clancy said.

Over the past decade, student numbers at Thurgoona Public School have skyrocketed by 55.5%, from 400 students in 2015 to 622 students in 2024. While numbers at the neighbouring Table Top Public School have increased by 17.6% since 2021.

Mr Clancy said it was concerning to hear in Budget Estimates on 27 August 2024, a Department of Education official admit “The development hasn't been coming on as quickly as we expected.”

“The increased demand we’ve witnessed highlights the clear need our community has for an extra public school for Thurgoona, and action on this critical infrastructure is overdue.

“I will be continuing to call on the government to ensure it delivers this much-needed new school, to secure a brighter future for Thurgoona Wirlinga families for generations to come,” Mr Clancy said.