Richmond Agricultural Centre

About the project
Get involved
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As part of the NSW Government's plan to rebuild public education, the 2025-26 Budget is delivering $3.9 billion for new and upgraded schools in Western Sydney. This targeted investment will ensure growing communities get access to a world class public education.

The NSW Department of Education is committed to delivering new and upgraded schools for communities across NSW including the Richmond Agricultural Centre. Co-located at the Western Sydney University Hawkesbury campus, the Richmond Agricultural Centre will be used as a statewide resource delivering world-class agricultural and science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education.

The planning application, known as a Review of Environmental Factors (REF), for the Richmond Agricultural Centre is now on public exhibition on the NSW Planning Portal for Division 5.1 (Part 5) Activities.

Any comments on the proposal may be lodged through the Planning Portal by no later than Thursday 7 August 2025.

View the plans

The benefits

ten classrooms
five science labs
administration facilities
farming facilities
canteen
greenhouse
multipurpose hall
other amenities.

Timeline

Planning

Design

In progress

Complete

Progress summary

The masterplan, concept design and schematic design for the project are complete.

Plans on exhibition

The planning application, known as a Review of Environmental Factors (REF) for Richmond Agricultural Centre is on public exhibition on the NSW Planning Portal for Division 5.1 (Part 5) Activities from 18 July 2025 until 7 August 2025.

To view the plans, visit NSW Planning Portal for Division 5.1 (Part 5) Activities.

If you wish to make a submission, please do so by the exhibition closing date, 7 August 2025.

Next steps

Additional information

Frequently asked questions

When is construction expected to start?

When is construction expected to be completed?

What public transport options will be available for students?

Will there be a shuttle bus to transport students to and from the school from public transport locations?

Will there be rainwater harvesting in agricultural areas?

How many bicycle racks will there be?

Will there be high speed WiFi coverage for the whole campus?

Will there be fencing for the school?

Where will irrigation be located?

Will there be more storage spaces to accommodate the school and student needs?

Will there be more opportunities for community engagement on the project?

Yes. The planning approval pathway for this project is via a Review of Environmental Factors (REF), which assesses the likely impacts of the proposed project. The planning application will be placed on public exhibition in Mid 2025 which will give the community an opportunity to look at the plans and provide feedback. We will be providing more information to the community once the REF is on exhibition.

How do I get involved/receive updates on the project?

You can sign up to the mailing list by contacting us at schoolinfrastructure@det.nsw.edu.au or visiting edu.nsw.link/RichmondAgCentre. If you are on the mailing list, you will be able to receive updates on the project update. More FAQs will be shared with the community and will be included on the project page. To view all FAQs, please visit the project webpage.

Fast facts

Commencement

2022

Architect

NBRS

Builder

Richard Crookes Construction

Electorate

Hawkesbury

Address

Western Sydney University Hawkesbury campus Richmond NSW 2753

Get involved

We are committed to working together with our school communities to deliver the best possible learning facilities for students.
Opportunities for school communities to get involved in the project will be shared on this page.

Past events

9 Apr 2025

2:30 pm to 6 pm

Community drop-in information session: Wednesday 9 April 2025

We warmly invite the school community to attend a drop-in information session to find out more about the Richmond Agricultural Centre project and have the opportunity to speak with members of the project team. The session will be held in a demountable classroom on site. You can drop in at any time during the information session. If you are unable to attend, resources shared at the information session will be made available online afterwards.

The administration building, Richmond Agricultural Centre, located at Western Sydney University

Get in contact

Your feedback on this project is important to us. For more information, questions or to make a comment please email us at schoolinfrastructure@det.nsw.edu.au or complete the contact form.

FAQs
Information packs
Project updates
Reports
Works notifications

Frequently asked questions - February 2020

(PDF 180 KB)