THE Willyama Parents and Citizens Association have called on the Department of Education, and specifically New South Wales Deputy Premier and Minister for Education, Prue Car, to respond to their concerns over the Wilyama High School rebuild proposal.
In a letter to Ms Car dated April 14, Wilyama High School P&C president Kirby Allen said the committee was dissatisfied with what had been presented at the information session held on March 25.
“It was misleading and lacked sufficient details and clarity to evaluate the plans and to make an informed decision,” Mr Allen wrote.
“We ask that we are provided with a revised master plan with great details including number of stories, all floor plans with dimensions of all rooms, with floor plans for 730 students.”
The Isolated Children’s Parents Association (ICPA) Broken Hill Branch wrote a letter of support for the Willyama P&C Committee, stating that they have serious concerns regarding lack of transparency between the State Government department and P&C.
“The Willyama High School P&C previously sought clarification from the Department of Education regarding the proposed rebuild plans for the school,” the letter said.
“While a community consultation session was held to review the plans and raise questions, many concerns remain unanswered.”
Mr Allen wrote in a letter to School Infrastructure NSW on May 15 that the P&C were still awaiting a reply, a month on from sending their letter.
“As of today, 15th May 2025, there has been no correspondence received,” the letter read.
“Despite assurances that further public consultation would occur, consultation is now only occurring in closed committee meetings.
“Although it has now been confirmed the Department of Education has had no intention to further consult with the community of Broken Hill, the Willyama High School P&C or the Willyama High School staff.
“Treasurer of Willyama P&C, Matthew McCoy, said that the statement regarding the department’s disinterest in further consulting with the P&C was inferred by their lack of reply to the original letter, sent over a month ago.
“It’s inferred by the lack of reply, but it’s also because the new plans are being presented in closed committee meetings, hidden from the public, it gives the impression that there is no further intention to consult with the community of Broken Hill.”
Mr McCoy said that although there was a P&C representative on the committee, due to the code of conduct for the committee, no data can be shared outside.
“So the P&C representative can’t tell us what the plans are,” he said.
“This is a government project, it’s a government build, so why is there a level of secrecy around the design?”
Mr McCoy said the P&C are concerned that they won’t be informed of the plans until it’s too late for changes to be made.
“It feels like they’re trying to progress the design to a point where they can present it to the community as a done deal and alterations can’t be made,” he said.
A spokesperson for the Department of Education told the Broken Hill Times that adequate and extensive consultation had already been carried out with the community.
“The Department of Education has undertaken extensive community consultation and engagement since the rebuild was announced in early 2024, including 128 face to face consultation meetings and a four and half hour community information session in March,” the spokesperson said.
“Design of the new, state-of-the-art Wilyama High School has now moved into the next stage of consultation, via the Project Reference Group which met earlier this month and includes the parent representative nominated by the P&C, who is able to share information and provide feedback.
“The department has listened to many of the issues raised by the community and incorporated some of the feedback into the design, including additional science facilities, a larger wellness hub, bespoke learning spaces for the support unit, additional shade.
“Once rebuilt, the new state-of-the-art Willyama High School will have some of the best and most impressive educational facilities in the state including features that go beyond the standard design for NSW schools as well as industry standard VET facilities such as a commercial kitchen and fully-equipped wood and metal workshops.”
