Retired teacher speaks out in support of $6.3m preschool

SUPPORTERS of a new preschool at Tacking Point Public School (TPPS) have emerged publicly following weeks of tense debate about the $6.3 million project.

Philip von Shoenberg, a retired teacher who lives near the school on Bangalay Drive, has expressed his strong support for the State Government’s plan to build a free public preschool on the site, arguing the benefits are being lost amid heightened community anxiety.

“I don’t think it’s clearly understood that this is a free public preschool, benefitting 120 families in the local area,” von Shoenberg told News Of The Area.

The preschool is part of the Minns Government’s push to expand access to free early education.

It has drawn sustained opposition from hundreds of school parents and residents who argue the location will result in the loss of playground space, increased traffic risks and environmental damage, including impacts on koalas known to move through the school grounds.

Von Shoenberg rejected claims that environmental concerns were being ignored.

“The Department of Education is clearly trying to minimise the harm and the damage to the environment, as well as to koalas,” he said.

However, he said the intensity of the debate itself was having unintended consequences for the school community.

“I’ve never seen so many people taking a photo of a single koala sitting in a tree, and that’s fine, you know, I love koala conservation, but it’s putting stress and anxiety into the school and into the community and into the students,” he said.

Von Schoenberg said he had backed the new preschool “since the beginning”, while also supporting efforts by the Tacking Point Public School P&C to address playground space and koala habitat concerns.

He said he remained silent for months due to “the level of abuse and vitriol” directed at him and his wife for holding a different view, but now wants to represent community members who feel they have been “shouted down”.

Opponents of the project say the issue is not opposition to preschool access but opposition to the chosen site.

They argue students in Years 3-6 are already losing access to green play space and are increasingly restricted to concrete areas during recess, with Ashdown Reserve now relied upon for lunchtime play.

The group also disputes claims they are “anti-preschool”, repeatedly stating their concern is about long-term impacts on students and the school’s unique environment.

Von Shoenberg acknowledged strong emotions on all sides but claimed a small group was escalating tensions.

“There was vandalism at the work site last month, when government bunting was torn down,” he said.

“I understand police are investigating what happened.

“So, there’s this little rogue group who have hijacked the issue.

“This small group of angry people, not the entire group, are sabotaging possible solutions.”

Protest organisers reject the suggestion the movement is being driven by a fringe element, saying their actions have been peaceful and community-focused, with growing concern about student wellbeing, traffic safety and what they describe as inadequate consultation, including with the Aboriginal community.

They also point to more than 1300 signatures on a petition opposing the project.

The Department of Education has previously stated it is committed to delivering the preschool while working to reduce environmental and safety impacts.

By Matt TAYLO