Parramatta. $40 million school expansion

The Diocese of Parramatta proposes to invest $40 million on the expansion of educational facilities on a 8.5-hectare site, which would include the current Catherine McAuley Westmead, girls’ secondary school of 1000 students, and Parramatta Marist High, boys’ secondary school of 1000 students, plus a new two-stream coeducational primary school and, potentially, a catholic preschool and an out-of-school-hours (OOSH) service and a catholic trade training centre. Gregory Whitby, executive director of schools, in the Parramatta Diocese, said existing schools were at maximum capacity. He said the timing of the project would help create local jobs and stimulate the economy. Council is considering a DA.