Macquarie Fields MP Anoulack Chanthivong MP has called for urgent action from the Liberal Government after the Department of Primary Industries raised objections to plans to redevelop the majority of land at Hurlstone Agricultural High School in Glenfield.

The Department has raised serious concerns that residential development so close to the school could negatively impact Hurlstone’s agricultural curriculum. The Department also flagged biosecurity issues and contamination risks with the proposed changes to Hurlstone’s farm layout.

In its submission on the Draft Glenfield Place Strategy – which will see 82 hectares of Hurlstone land swamped by high-rise flats and houses – the Department clearly states “the draft structure plan for the Hurlstone redevelopment is not supported”.

Mr Chanthivong has called on Minister for Education and Early Learning Sarah Mitchell and Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Rob Stokes to immediately cease plans for redevelopment at Hurlstone.

“Local residents and the school community must be confident that any plans for development on the school site will not negatively impact agricultural activities at the school,” he said.

“The Department of Primary Industries has made it clear that the Liberal Government’s current plan to have high-rise so close to Hurlstone’s farm is inappropriate and potentially dangerous.

“It would be a travesty to lose 82 hectares of open space at Hurlstone and risk the educational outcomes for students just to line the pockets of developers.”

Mr Chanthivong said the Liberal Government must investigate the concerns raised by the Department of Primary Industries and drastically modify the Draft Glenfield Place Strategy.

“The farmland at Hurlstone needs to be protected from development for the good of the students and the local community,” he said.

“It is unacceptable for an agricultural high school with Hurlstone’s history and reputation to be swamped and dwarfed by overdevelopment.”

For more information on the long-running Hands off Hurlstone campaign, visit www.connectwithanoulack.com/campaigns/hands-off-hurlstone/