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Mr MIKE BAIRD (Manly) [5.33 p.m.]: As this is likely to be the last sitting day before the Seaforth and Clontarf community votes on the future of the Seaforth TAFE site, I thought it appropriate to comment on the matter. The community will decide whether they support the reopening of the TAFE site for an educational institution, the redevelopment of the site within the existing area, or the redevelopment and realignment of Sydney Road to create a new town centre with two new five-storey development sites.
All these options have merits, and all have advocates in the community, including Susie Colvin, who is in the gallery today. She is a fighter for public education and particularly for the Seaforth TAFE site. With many varied views that have ebbed and flowed over the past nine years, it is right that the community votes to decide once and for all, and I congratulate Manly Council on giving the community the opportunity to vote. The decision on this site will change the heart of the community for the next 50 years, so all deserve a voice.
Let me be clear on this: I will support 110 per cent the outcome of the vote whatever it be. I believe there are merits in every proposal. However, I believe the onus is on me to provide a personal view on what I think are the opportunities for this site. To avoid this would be to avoid the responsibility of leadership. I believe that in future years we will either applaud the vision or rue the day we got it wrong.
The history of this site is both proud and tragic. Seaforth TAFE began operation in 1964. It was the first technical college to be opened in the Manly-Warringah district. It provided a range of courses for well over three decades, including trades, accounting, commerce, fine arts, marketing, advertising, public relations and real estate. The death of the TAFE came quickly. After the State election the Labor Government made significant cuts to the TAFE NSW budget in 1999, and the Government had to hose down public concerns about its investment in public education. On 2 July 1999, the Treasurer's office sent a fax to the New South Wales Teachers Federation stating, "No TAFE campus will close". However, less than a fortnight later the New South Wales Labor Government announced it would close Seaforth TAFE and less than six months later the gates were chained.
It is another example of the State Labor Government deliberately misleading the public, particularly the residents of the northern beaches. Of course, everyone was upset and there was huge community opposition. The inquiry that commenced afterwards—and the former member for Manly played a role in this and I commend him for that—found that the only consultation undertaken occurred after the announcement. The inquiry also found that Seaforth TAFE should be re-opened and it was deluged with literally thousands and thousands of signatures in support. The result? Nothing. For nine years the building has sat idle and the community has waited for action.
Since the TAFE was closed the electorate has changed. More babies are being born in the Manly area and more young families are moving into the area. From 2001 to 2006 the population of Manly increased by a little over 2.5 per cent. Yet over the same period the number of children under five years old increased by more than 10 per cent. Enrolments in public schools on the northern beaches are increasing at a rapid rate. At Curl Curl North Public School kindergarten enrolments have almost doubled in five years—climbing from 60 in 2003 to 110 this year. Harbord Public School currently has more than 800 students, including 130 kindergarten students over seven classes, compared with around 100 five years ago. Seaforth Public School had about 50 kindergarten students in 2003 and the enrolments have climbed to 85 this year. High school campuses also remain full: Mackellar Girls Campus is close to full; Freshwater Senior Campus is close to full capacity now; and enrolments at Balgowlah Boys Campus are continuing to climb. There is very little capacity to cope with the increased demand, which is coming like a tsunami on the horizon.
Wayne Gretsky, once described as the most famous ice hockey player of all time, in explaining his success, said, "I skate to where the puck is going not where it is." I ask the Department of Education if it is planning for the education crisis that is coming to the Manly area or is it taking the dollars for short-term budgetary needs in relation to this site at Seaforth? I believe it is a tragedy to sell land when evidence is telling us that in 10 years we will need a high school. If the vote in a couple of weeks time is for education on the site, I believe we should pursue that. If the education option is chosen I would fight for a Seaforth high school.
Currently there is no co-educational high school in Manly that is not selective or covers years 7 to 10. Would it be too bold to suggest a junior campus for years 7 to 10 to complement Freshwater Senior Campus? Or even a technical high school that could consolidate some of these offerings from local schools? It seems to me that the Department of Education should preserve this site to retain educational flexibility for the Manly area. This could include alternative educational uses for the next 10 years—even a form of TAFE—but it could be a tent peg put in the ground for the future education of our kids.
I acknowledge that not everyone in the community will support this view and many have worked hard on the options, but they will have their vote and I will support their choice. If the community decides to redevelop one of these sites then the Department of Education should give a commitment that every single dollar it receives is returned to our local schools.
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