The construction of a new high school in Gungahlin will be on track to open in 2023 after the Planning Minister used call-in powers to approve the development.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Mick Gentleman approved Kenny high school as well as nearby roadworks on Well Station Drive in order to deliver the 800-student school on time.
"It's a very tight timeline for the new Kenny school, but it's very important for the Gungahlin community," he said.
"We've seen incredible growth in the Gungahlin sector over the last number of years and it's important that we get this critical infrastructure on track and ready for those new students in 2023."
Mr Gentleman said there were concerns raised during the consultation process about impacts on the Kenny Nature Reserve and what would happen in rare flooding events. He said there were conditions in the approval to address these concerns.
ACT Greens planning spokesperson Jo Clay criticised the use of call-in powers to bypass the independent planning authority.
"We understand there may on the rare occasion be some overwhelming reason to roll out a project quickly. That's why we want to see reforms on call-in powers in the current ACT Planning Review," Ms Clay said.
"In other jurisdictions, similar call-in powers or their equivalent are more predictable and have independent involvement from a panel or broad authority. There is a better way than this form of call-ins and we hope to see it in the reforms."
READ MORE:
Education Minister Yvette Berry said priority enrolment area for Kenny high school would be released in April 2022.
"These school designs are quite beautiful and take into account the different needs of different school communities but also our environment and it'll be a zero emission school as well," she said.
Construction of the school will cost $85.9 million and $11 million will be spent on supporting infrastructure.
The zero-emissions high school will have a double gym, covered courts for basketball and netball, and an oval.
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content:
- Bookmark canberratimes.com.au
- Download our app
- Make sure you are signed up for our breaking and regular headlines newsletters
- Follow us on Twitter
- Follow us on Instagram