Dept of Ed commences discussions with Huntlee developers

A small update on Huntlee High School. The Department of Education has been instructed to begin conversations/negotiations with the Huntlee developer about the high school site - confirmed today by Clayton Barr, Member for Cessnock. While conversations are in the very initial stages, the developers have shown that they are eager to work with the Department of Education to help things progress. Although there is nothing announcement worthy at this stage, it is great news that the conversations have started about the land and the next steps, and the ball is finally rolling!

While not the focus of this petition, I'll also touch on two related topics. Firstly, regarding the primary school site, the Department of Education under the previous government did quietly finally accept handover of the site from the developers just prior to the election. (In my opinion *quietly, because it didn't look great just before the election to be accepting the land while ignoring the urgent need for schools, and *finally, because it was at the point where the previous government delaying the handover was a major factor in the delay of land registration/the issuing of titles for some of the Huntlee development stages, causing a big delay in people being able to build their homes - I will add that this tidbit came to me from Huntlee residents, not from Clayton Barr!).

Secondly, with the change of Government, I would encourage anyone who has concerns about school buses (whether about Huntlee to Branxton, or Branxton to Rutherford), to send letters/emails to their State Members (North Rothbury and most of Greta - Clayton Barr. Branxton - Dave Layzell. Some parts of Greta - Jenny Aitchison), and anyone who has previously sent emails about those issues to send them again. With the change of government we of course have a new Minister for Regional Transport and Roads who this correspondence will be forwarded to (which is actually Jenny Aitchison herself), and it certainly can't hurt to get some letters/emails across her desk. There is also a drive for all students living in North Rothbury to apply for a bus pass - even if you wouldn't choose to send your children to school on the public bus that is the only option currently - in the hopes that the demand for school buses can be more easily seen.

Thanks everyone, I hope Term 3 is off to a great start for you all.