The rapid growth of The Hills Shire, particularly in the Box Hill area, has put a significant strain on public school infrastructure. While recent announcements of school upgrades and a fast-tracked temporary high school have been made by the NSW Government, The Hills Shire Mayor, Dr Michelle Byrne, argues these measures are simply not enough to address the scale of the problem.
Dr Byrne acknowledges the announced upgrade to Rouse Hill High School and the accelerated delivery of a “pop-up” Box Hill High School as initial steps, but likens it to “trying to stop a tsunami with a sandbag.” Her concern stems from the significant mismatch between the government’s ambitious housing targets for the region and the lack of corresponding investment in crucial infrastructure, especially schools.
“This Government has set us the biggest housing target in the state but without the infrastructure spending to match,” says Mayor Byrne. “We already have the most overcrowded schools in the state – and these projects won’t even accommodate the existing students in Box Hill and Rouse Hill, let alone the tens of thousands expected in the coming years and beyond.”
The situation in Box Hill is particularly acute. Families are increasingly forced to send their children on lengthy commutes, sometimes up to 45 minutes away, just to access public education. This unsustainable situation raises serious questions about equity and the liveability of the rapidly expanding suburb. Rouse Hill High School, which draws students from parts of Box Hill, has seen its enrolment skyrocket from 931 students in 2020 to 1,324 in 2024, highlighting the pressure on existing facilities.
Looking ahead, Mayor Byrne emphasizes the urgent need for three additional primary schools and one comprehensive Kindergarten to Year 12 school just to meet the current and projected demand in Box Hill. The initial plans for Box Hill Precinct anticipated 9,600 homes and 28,000 residents. However, due to further housing developments pushed by successive NSW Governments, the population is now expected to balloon to 50,000 within the next decade.
The proposed “pop-up” Box Hill High School, limited to only two year groups, is seen by the Mayor as a temporary fix for a much deeper, systemic issue. “Delivering one pop-up high school and limiting it to just two-year groups is a band aid solution to a full-blown crisis,” she states. “We need schools in Box Hill and we need them now, and not just in Box Hill, but the wider Hills community.”
The figures paint a stark picture of the broader problem. Mayor Byrne reveals that “The Hills has the most overcrowded schools in the state, with 46 per cent of them over their enrolment cap by more than 100 students.” This level of overcrowding has significant implications for the quality of education and the overall well-being of students.
In response to this growing crisis, The Hills Shire Council has launched its “Fight for a Fairer Hills Future” campaign. This initiative calls on the NSW Government to commit to a comprehensive infrastructure plan that includes 40 new sports fields, 45 road upgrades, and, most critically, 14 new schools to support the region’s rapid population growth.
Mayor Byrne is urging residents to actively participate in the campaign to ensure their voices are heard in NSW Parliament. “Council is giving our residents the chance to have their growing pains detailed in NSW Parliament. We need residents to get behind this campaign so that the Government understands the day-to-day struggles our residents are dealing with,” she concludes.
The future of education in Box Hill and The Hills Shire hangs in the balance. While temporary solutions offer some immediate relief, a long-term, comprehensive education plan backed by significant government investment is essential to ensure that the region’s growing population has access to the quality public education they deserve.
Sign the petition at: www.fairerhillsfuture.com.au.
