How was the new site selected?
Early planning for this project started with a review of the area’s demographic trends, catchment boundaries, heritage structures and the needs of the school community.
To evaluate short-listed potential sites, a multi-criteria analysis (MCA) was carried out. This enabled the Department of Education to make an informed decision in selecting the new site. Considerations included, but were not limited to:
- site capacity (e.g. size and shape of the land)
- planning and Sate Environmental Planning Policy (e.g. future planned use for the site and adjacent land)
- movement and place (e.g. accessibility, site frontage on at least two sides)
- site specific considerations (e.g. bushfire, flooding)
- urban design considerations (connecting with the wider community, future desired outcomes to create optimal learning environments)
- feasibility (potential requirements to mitigate any identified issues).
The selected site scored the highest and has the following benefits:
- large area of at least two hectares for the new school and allows for a preschool to be built at the same site as the primary school
- close to growing suburbs of Worrigee and South Nowra
- has three frontages and existing vegetation along its boundaries
- no site constraints have been identified that would require remediation.
What will the new preschool include?
The new public preschool will provide a safe and engaging environment for preschool children. It will feature three specially designed rooms and a quality outdoor play area to accommodate up to 60 children per day. It will also include an administration area, amenities, staff kitchen and storage.
Where will the entry points be for the primary school?
The main entrance to the primary school is proposed at the public plaza on the southwest corner of Worrigee Road and Booligal Road where the majority of students will access the school. A secondary entrance is proposed along Worrigee Road nearer the intersection of Greenwell Point Road for a limited number of support students or students with access needs as required.
Where will the entry point be for the public preschool?
The public preschool can be accessed by a path from Booligal Road or the designated car park as well as a path from the public plaza on the southwest corner of Worrigee Road and Booligal Road.
What will the school be named?
The school will be officially named prior to opening. In determining the name of the school, we will seek feedback from the community and the preferred name will then need to be gazetted with the Geographical Names Board and approved by the Minister for Education.
What will the intake area be?
Intake areas are established approximately one year prior to new schools opening. The latest demographic data and anticipated growth trends within the community will be considered and the final intake area will be determined in consultation with local principals and relevant stakeholders.
When will staff be appointed to the new school?
A principal will be appointed approximately one year prior to the school’s opening. Teaching positions will then be advertised on the department’s internal staff portal and externally.
When will construction start?
Construction on the new school is expected to begin in mid 2026, pending determination of the planning application.
Will any current primary schools in the area close?
The new primary school and preschool are being built to accommodate for existing demand and future growth in the area. A separate investment is also proposed to upgrade the nearby Nowra East Public School, and hence no school closures are being considered as part of this project.
How will the new school site impact other schools in the area?
The proposed new primary school in Worrigee, together with the upgrade at Nowra East Public School planned for completion by mid-2027, is intended to ease the pressure on existing local schools currently experiencing high numbers of out-of-area enrolments and capacity challenges. Once both projects are complete, they will increase the overall capacity within the local public school network, helping to meet projected enrolment growth and ensure more students can attend their local schools.
The school intake area will be determined approximately one year prior to the new school opening. The community will be kept informed of any proposed changes to current intake areas.
Was a location further south considered for the new primary school and public preschool?
Yes, several alternative sites were explored including sites further south however, they were determined unsuitable due to being prone to flooding and or bushfires, lack of access or being located too far from where the current and future student demand has been identified in the area.
Has the current traffic issues and the busy intersection of Worrigee Road and Greenwell Point Road been considered when selecting the school location?
The intersection of Worrigee Road and Greenwell Point Road is being upgraded by Council as part of a $40 million commitment from the Australian Government through the Infrastructure Investment Program. Works are scheduled for completion by late 2027, ahead of the new primary school’s opening.
This intersection upgrade, combined with the Department of Education’s traffic management currently being investigated will provide safe pedestrian access to the school while minimising the impact on traffic flow along Greenwell Point Road and Worrigee Road.
In addition to the new school, the community will benefit from enhanced public spaces and upgraded infrastructure as part of the broader project, improving the safety for both pedestrians and motorists. Proposed traffic management measures will be subject to a Transport Impact Assessment as part of the approval within the REF process.
How can I get involved?
We are committed to working together with our school communities and stakeholders to deliver the best learning facilities for students. As the project progresses, we will continue to provide regular updates.
Formal consultation will take place during the exhibition of the planning application, known as a Review of Environmental Factors (REF). The REF examines the economic, environmental and social impacts of the proposed school development and the community will be invited to share their feedback during the exhibition period.
What is the size and capacity of the new primary school?
The new school will be built on a large 2-hectare site with open play space, including a primary school sports field. At opening, the school will be able to accommodate approximately 550 primary school students and the preschool will accommodate up to 60 children a day. The school is planned for future growth so it is not expected that it will reach capacity for a number of years.
Why is the building three-storeys?
The school will have a three-storey classroom building which will maximise open playground and parking space within the site. This is in addition to the single-storey buildings for the school hall and co-located public preschool. This approach is consistent with new schools being built across the state, including in regional areas.
When will the preschool enrolments open?
Information about the public preschool enrolment process will be provided before the preschool opening date, providing families with time to secure preschool placements.
When will the primary school enrolments open?
Enrolments for the primary school will open after the catchment area has been confirmed. This is expected around 12 months before the new school opens. We will keep the community updated.
Can the public preschool operate during the construction of the primary school?
The public preschool will be operational while the primary school construction is completed. The preschool is designed as a self-contained area with its own dedicated access and parking, ensuring that it safe and can function independently.
Will intake areas of other schools be affected by the new school opening?
Yes, there will be adjustments to intake areas of other schools in the area. Intake areas are established approximately one year prior to new schools opening. The latest demographic data and anticipated growth trends within the community will be considered and the final intake area will be determined in consultation with local principals and relevant stakeholders. Any changes to intake area will be communicated with the community.
Will an Out of School Hours (OOSH) care facility be provided at the new school?
The design has provisions for an OOSH space in the hall. Further details about OOSH provision will be confirmed once the principal has been appointed. We will communicate further updates with the community closer to the school’s opening.
When will school uniforms and logos be chosen?
The community will be consulted about uniforms and logos once a principal has been appointed. More information will be provided prior to consultation.
Will a 40 km/h school zone be implemented and on which roads?
Yes, a 40 km/h school zone will be implemented, however its location is yet to be determined by Transport for NSW and discussions have started within the Transport Working Group. We will provide an update to the community once the REF has been assessed and responses considered.
Will garbage trucks be able to turn at the end of Booligal Road once it is reconstructed?
Provisions have been made in the design to allow for a garbage truck to turn at the turning circle on Booligal Road for the preschool’s garbage collection. A swept path study has been carried out to verify a garbage truck can make the turn. Changes to the garbage collection location of Booligal Road’s residential bins will be subject to changes implemented by Council.
What road works are planned around the new primary school and public preschool?
A Transport Working Group is established to determine the existing transport infrastructure and future traffic management measures that will provide safe pedestrian access to the school while minimising the impact on traffic flow along Greenwell Point Road and Worrigee Road.
Proposed road works on Worrigee Road include:
- kerb and gutter installation
- footpaths
- 3 support learning unit drop off pick up spaces
- 3 space bus zone
- 2 pedestrian crossings (a raised pedestrian crossing on Worrigee Road and a line marked crossing on Golden Grove)
- new vehicle cross-over and tie in works to the service and waste collection area on Greenwell Point Road.
Proposed road works on Booligal Road include:
- reconstruction of Booligal Road to a two-lane sealed road and drainage
- 10 drop off pick up spaces
- 17 short stay parking spaces
- 1 raised pedestrian crossing
- new vehicle cross-over to the school and preschool car park
- turning circle at the end of Booligal Road.
Council road works include:
- intersection upgrade of Greenwell Point Road, Worrigee Road and Millbank Road to a roundabout
- associated shared user paths and/or footpaths
- pedestrian refuge crossings at three approaches to the roundabout.
The above are subject to Council and REF approval.
Where will parking be located?
Preschool parking and staff parking will be accessible from Booligal Road. There are 10 drop off pick up spaces and 17 short stay parking spaces proposed along Booligal Road. 3 drop off pick up spaces are also proposed along Worrigee Road for the support learning unit.
How will traffic be managed?
We have started assessing the existing traffic issues around the proposed site and are in consultation with Shoalhaven City Council to explore viable traffic management solutions based on our preliminary traffic assessments and Council’s Shoalhaven 2035 Community Strategic Plan. Our goal is to ensure safe pedestrian access to the school while minimising the impact on traffic flow along Greenwell Point Road and Worrigee Road. With the right measures in place, the completed new school will enhance safety for both pedestrians and motorists.
Will footpaths be constructed as part of the project?
New footpaths will be constructed on Worrigee Road and Booligal Road to provide pedestrian access to the school. We are currently working with the Transport Working Group to coordinate footpaths with Council beyond the perimeter of the school grounds.
Will there be a designated bus stop?
Yes, a bus zone for 3 buses is proposed in front of the new primary school on Worrigee Road.
Will current public bus routes and bus stops change?
Bus routes and bus stops will be reviewed within the Transport Working Group.
Will a lollipop person be provided for the raised pedestrian crossings?
School Crossing Supervisors are provided by Transport for NSW and are assessed on an ‘as-needed' basis. It is planned that the school will apply for a supervisor for operational purposes, and discussions have already started within the Transport Working Group.
How can families enrol children at the new public preschool?
Worrigee Public School will communicate with their community when enrolment applications can be taken, which is expected to be approximately 1 term before the preschool opening date. Information about the established enrolment process for existing public preschools, along with a list of new public preschools currently accepting expressions of interest, is available on the 'How to enrol in a public preschool’ page. For further information, please contact 100preschools@det.nsw.edu.au.
