Premier Chris Minns and Deputy Premier Prue Car are turning the sod for the long overdue upgrade of Girraween Public School, where three-quarters of the school’s classrooms are in demountables after years of neglect and broken promises from the former Liberal National government.
The school was promised an upgrade in 2017 after enrolments soared to three times the capacity of its permanent buildings, but the Liberals and Nationals failed to deliver any progress. As a consequence, students continued to learn in temporary demountable classrooms that now make up 76% of the school’s teaching spaces.
This upgrade will see 38 demountable classrooms on the site replaced with new, fit for purpose permanent classrooms as the Minns Labor Government continues to deliver on their plan to end the former government’s reliance on temporary classrooms.
Further works at the school will include:
- An extended and refurbished school hall
- Extensions to the covered outdoor learning area and the library
- A refurbished school carpark with improved access
- New and upgraded amenities, and new landscaping and play areas
To minimise the impact of construction on the school community the upgrade will be delivered in two stages, with students and staff expected to begin learning in the new fit-for-purpose classrooms by day one, term one, 2026. All upgrade works, including the removal of demountables, are due to be complete later in the same year.
This project is part of the Minns Labor Government record $3.6 billion investment in new and upgraded schools across Western Sydney, as the Government continues work to ensure families in growing communities have access to a high quality, free public education.
Chris Minns, Premier of New South Wales said:
“For years this school community has had to rely on temporary classrooms that aren’t fit for purpose, as promises of an upgrade were left unfulfilled by the former government.
“We are making targeted investments to ensure, no matter the post code, families in New South Wales have access to a quality, free, public education.
“This upgrade is long overdue, and we know there is still work to be done to ensure growing communities have the infrastructure they need but I’m thrilled that we’ve reached this milestone.”
Deputy Premier Prue Car, Minister for Education and Early Learning and Minister for Western Sydney, said:
“The Minns Labor Government is committed to ensuring public school students and staff across NSW have access to the high quality school facilities they need and deserve.
“We are rebuilding public education in NSW after 12 years of neglect and broken promises by the former Liberal National Government, who committed to upgrade Girraween Public School in 2017 but did nothing to progress it.
“Students and staff at Girraween Public School were left to teach and learn in ageing demountables that became a permanent fixture under the Liberals and Nationals.
“It took the election of a Labor government for this much-needed upgrade to finally be delivered.
“These new facilities will provide the modern learning tools to help develop students’ skills and set them up for academic success, and I look forward to seeing them complete in 2026.”
Member for Prospect Hugh McDermott said:
“I am extremely proud the NSW Government is helping to deliver upgraded facilities where they are needed most.
“We know that well designed schools and classrooms can have far-reaching benefits for both staff and student performance, recruitment and retention.
“Western Sydney is growing at a rapid rate and these new facilities will future-proof Girraween Public School as a modern, flexible and comprehensive public school offering for families in this community for generations to come.”
Girraween Public School Principal Jodi Warner said:
“This school holds a special place in our community’s hearts, and I am thankful the NSW Government is helping to deliver the upgraded facilities our students and staff need and deserve.
“These new facilities will provide a modern learning environment for students in our community now and into the future.
“I look forward to seeing construction take shape, and I cannot wait to see the finished product in the not-too-distant future.”
