Mr MIKE BAIRD (Manly) [5.56 p.m.]: Last Saturday the communities of Seaforth, Clontarf and Balgowlah Heights voted on the future use of the Seaforth TAFE site. In contrast to some of the planning changes before this House, this was about democracy. It was not about developer interests; it was about what the community thought in relation to this site. After the State Labor Government chained the gates of Seaforth TAFE back in December 1999, that facility has sat idle for almost nine years. The community has now delivered a resounding call to the Iemma Government to retain the site for education.

 

Three options were put to the community regarding the future use of that site. Residents were asked, first, whether they supported the reopening of the former Seaforth TAFE site as an educational facility. On that occasion 647 people, or 70 per cent, voted yes. Seven out of 10 people do not want the Iemma Government to sell this site and forego local capacity to educate younger generations. The second question gauged support on the redevelopment of the site within existing boundaries. On that occasion 1,147 people voted yes and 1,225 voted no. The final option was Landcom's proposal to redevelop and realign Sydney roads to create a new town centre with two new five-storey development sites. On that occasion 1,869 people voted no and only 508 voted yes.

It is clear at this point—the Minister and all members should note—that the Landcom option has now been rejected. That proposal had merits. I acknowledge the many people who worked on the proposal. I met many talented people within Landcom who had some interesting and significant ideas, but in reality the community said no. They do not want a five-story residential retail development; they want the educational facility to remain.

 

We need transparency in discussions on how the site should be utilised. Figures from TAFE, the New South Wales Teachers Federation and the Department of Education and Training are just not consistent. Some of the figures show huge shortages in education capacity and other figures show surpluses. Malcolm Ogg from the New South Wales Teachers Federation spoke out about the conflicting evidence on local capacity and the demand for education. We must be sensible about this and have a rational debate so the community can be confident that the Government has in place the resources needed to educate Manly's younger generation, which is rapidly increasing.

 

The demography in Manly is changing. Last month I referred in this Chamber to these changes. Over the past five years the Manly population has increased by a little over 2.5 per cent. However, the number of children aged under five years has risen by more than 10 per cent. More young families are moving to the Manly area and more babies are being born in the area. Kindergartens are bursting and local high schools are almost at capacity. Indeed, enrolments at many of our local kindergartens and primary schools are up 70 per cent to 100 per cent.

Under the State Infrastructure Plan the Department of Planning predicts that Manly's population will increase from 39,000 to 45,000—an increase of 16 per cent—and Manly will need to contribute an additional 2,400 dwellings. In Warringah the population is expected to increase from 139,000 to 142,000 and an extra 10,300 dwellings will be required. This growth is not sustainable with the current resources. The Government continues to ignore The Spit Bridge congestion and does nothing to improve public transport. We are still waiting to see the plan for the new Frenchs Forest hospital that the Minister for Health said would go to Cabinet last year. The Iemma Government now plans to sell an education facility while demand for public education is undoubtedly on the rise in my electorate. It just does not make sense.

It is clear that the community recognises the need for an educational facility on the Seaforth TAFE site. Whether it is new parents battling to get their children into kindergarten or parents dropping off their kids at demountable classrooms at Harbord, the facts are plain. Demand for public education in Manly is only going to accelerate further. Manly has no coeducational high school for years 7 to 10. If we considered converting the old TAFE site into a Seaforth high school it would provide some certainty about local capacity to educate our younger generations. Whether it is a technical college, technical high school or a high school, the site must be used for educational purposes.

I have written to the Minister for Education and Training to request a meeting to consider all options for education on this site. The Minister for Planning has told me that the Department of Education and Training has established the Seaforth site is no longer viable as an educational facility. I would like debate on that issue to commence with the  Minister for Education and Training. The community deserves to know why the Government claims the site cannot be used for education. The demographics show clearly that there will be a huge need for high schools in 10 years time. It is not acceptable that the Iemma Government expects us to have new dwellings and not provide the infrastructure. I urge the Minister for Education and Training to agree to the meeting and commence a rational debate. 

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