The Telopea Park School community hopes a public protest outside Manuka Oval at Saturday's AFL clash between GWS Giants and Geelong Cats will amplify its calls for the ACT government to return the school's land.
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The ACT government has been battling community backlash over a lack of consultation about a land-swap deal that would have the school's tennis courts transferred to Manuka Occasional Childcare Centre so that land can be developed by the Canberra Services Club and enable further commercial development of Manuka Oval.
Faced with the prospect of bulldozers arriving to level the school's courts before the year is out, Telopea P&C president Paul Haesler said so far it appeared community concerns about the "outrageous decision" had fallen on deaf ears and Saturday's protest would mark a distinct change in tack.
"We are now appealing directly to the public to assist us in convincing Chief Minister Barr to reverse the government's decision and return our land," Mr Haesler said.
"I think a lot of what the government has done so far is play one community group against another to form its plan."
He said engaging with the community would demonstrate the unity of opposition against the land swap.
Information leaflets distributed on Saturday call on the public to email Mr Barr directly and ask for the school's land to be returned.
An alternative site in Griffith is being considered by the Land Development Agency amid objections from residents but the government is pushing forward with redevelopment plans at the school.
Year 10 student Eleanor Foster said she was looking forward to having her voice heard at the protest.
"We are losing our tennis courts, we are not being heard," she said. "Going out on a Saturday night at the GWS game we will be seen and heard finally."
Protesters plan to gather at both areas highlighted below, wearing Save Telopea's Sports Fields beanies and waving placards.
