A property developer wants to sell a piece of land to the state government as the possible site for a new school west of Maitland.
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Hardie Holdings has drawn a concept plan for a school on an 18 hectare lot in Anambah Road, Anambah, at the edge of a new residential area that Maitland City Council recently approved.
The plan includes two car parks, a football field, two basketball courts, an administration building and five classroom blocks.
Development manager Jamie Bosswell said Hardie Holdings drew the plan to show the state government the potential of the site.
He said the company was not trying to have their specific plan built, but would approach the government to see if the Department of Education and Communities was interested in buying the site.
Mr Bosswell said the land was centrally located near McKeachie’s Run, Aberglasslyn, Rutherford and Lochinvar.
“I’ve just been following the need for the western area to have another potential school site,” he said.
“We’d be looking to sell the site to the government to get things moving and get a school that is needed out here. It’s just an initial concept at this stage.”
Maitland councillor and independent candidate for Maitland Philip Penfold said about 3000 homes would be built in the Anambah area, which would mean about 8000 new residents would eventually live in the western suburb.
He said he did not necessarily advocate the Anambah site as ideal for a new school, but was eager to see land holders approach the government with their ideas.
“I would think there would be an interest in a site that fronts a main arterial road for the suburb,” Cr Penfold said. “Anambah will grow into a sizable suburb just like many others.”
Labor candidate for Maitland Jenny Aitchison told the Mercury last month that her party recognised that the region’s growing population meant pressure was being put on schools.
While she stopped short of promising a new school for Maitland, Labor announced in late January that it would commit $100 million for the replacement of demountable classrooms if elected in March.
A spokesman for Education Minister Adrian Piccoli referred questions to the Department of Education and Communities, which had not to responded to the Mercury’s before going to print.
