NSW SCHOOL'S GREEN SPACES TO REMAIN OPEN AFTER HOURS IN NEW TRIAL

This trial, conducted in 11 schools across the state, will open up school ovals, sports courts and playgrounds for the public to use for personal and recreational use, giving people access to spaces that have been locked up to the public.

The NSW Government’s existing shared spaces program already opens up almost 200 schools’ outdoor facilities during school holidays for public use, however, it does not permit the opening of ovals outside of school holidays.

The shared spaces trial will also provide more critical green space and outdoor recreation as the government continue to build much needed new homes and apartments for young people and families across the state.

NSW Premier Chris Minns said:

“I’ve never been a fan of locking up school grounds to the public. I want kids and families to be able to use the grounds outside of school hours. It seems like a waste to keep hundreds of school ovals locked up at night, over the weekends and during school holidays. It’s why we’re throwing the gates of this public land open – it means people who live in apartments have more space to enjoy the outdoors, and kids have more options to get off their devices and play outside."

In an example of how this trial will affect the industry, Kogarah High School is one of the schools opening its sports field for community access as part of this trial, following a recent upgrade.  The sports field, which had been shared between the school and the public outside of school hours for decades until this was ended under the former government, has been upgraded to provide students and the community with a safer environment to learn, play and exercise in. Fencing has been replaced on several sides of the field to improve safety and access to residents, and two new stair entrances and an access ramp and gate have been installed to improved accessibility.

Participating schools include:

• Kogarah High School
• Bardwell Park Infants School
• Delegate Public School
• Hernani Public School
• Kambora Public School
• Manly West Public School
• Menindee Central School
• Roseville Public School
• Seaforth Public School
• Strathfield Girls High School
• Teralba Public School