Koalas, kids in tears and 1000 signatures: community demands pause on Tacking Point preschool

HUNDREDS of parents and residents continue to oppose construction of a new preschool in the grounds of Tacking Point Public School, with more than a thousand people signing a petition to halt the project.

It comes amid claims of environmental risk, inadequate consultation, and distress among schoolchildren.

Within an hour of being on-site last Thursday, News Of The Area saw five koalas, including a joey.

Parents say some children are now going to school in tears over fears the iconic and endangered animals will be harmed because of the project.

The $6.3 million 60-place preschool will be built on green space at the 600-student Bangalay Drive primary school.

It is part of the NSW Government’s rollout of 100 new preschools, a policy broadly supported by the local community.

Parents and nearby residents say the selection of Tacking Point PS has crossed a line, arguing the project is being forced through without full transparency, environmental safeguards or meaningful consultation.

A growing local coalition of parents, residents and environmental advocates have made it clear the issue is not about opposing early childhood education.

Rather, they say it is about accountability in a project riddled with concerns, unanswered questions and in an unsuitable location.

Traffic and access concerns have also been raised, with parents warning the additional drop-off and pick-up movements will place further pressure on Bangalay Drive during already congested school peak times.

Responsibility for managing traffic impacts has effectively been shifted onto the school community, rather than being addressed through a comprehensive traffic assessment as part of the project approval process.

Parents ‘blindsided

Parent Michaela Delaforce said local families feel blindsided by the speed of the project’s rollout.

“There has been no genuine community consultation,” she said.

By Matt TAYLOR