Plans to engage in a $4.5 million capital works redevelopment at East Launceston Primary School have caused controversy amongst the school community.
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The school was allocated the funding from the state government in the 2016-17 Budget to build new kindergarten facilities, general learning areas and a multi‑purpose facility to cater for the overcrowded school.
However, the school’s Parents and Friends Association is in the unique position of owning part of the East Launceston Primary oval and has been asked by the Department of Education to co-contribute some of the land for the works.
But this has been met with protest from some members of the community.
Association president Jess Downie said they wanted to arrive at a mutually beneficial outcome that would protect the valuable space but address the school’s overcrowding issues.
A particular piece of land to build on has not been set in stone and there has been no suggestion of building on the oval, but rather in the space adjoining it.
Concerns from the community over donating the land included maintaining the green space, a loss of revenue for the association and the potential future use of the land.
Worry has spread through the community that if it does not contribute the land, the school will lose its funding, however the department has confirmed this is not the case.
A department spokesperson said there were no firm options yet and many concepts were being prepared to illustrate the possibilities.
“The use of the land is just one option and was the option that the school association and the parents indicated they preferred at the time,” the spokesperson said.
“The redevelopment can go ahead without a land donation and the school has been allocated the $4.5 million with or without the land.”
The community voted on Wednesday night in favour of the association engaging with the department over the co-contribution.