Department of Education Hautu Te Tai Runga (Leader, South) Nancy Bell told the Otago Daily Times that the Queenstown Lakes District Council’s population forecasts and spatial plan had revealed Lake Hawea would be the right place for a school that could meet the future needs of the Hawea community.
A suitable construction site is now being sought in the range of 3ha to 4ha.
“We know we will need to expand education to accommodate future growth and we want to make sure it comes to the right place that will provide the highest level of access for most families.
“That’s why we’re starting to plan for the possible relocation of Hawea Flat School,” said Ms. Bell.
She said the planning was still in its infancy and the ministry would work with the school and the school community.
It would take 7-10 years to complete a new school, so in the meantime eight new movable classrooms were built to cater for the continued growth in student numbers.
“These buildings are light, spacious and built for modern teaching practices and can be relocated if needed in the future,” said Ms Bell.
She confirmed that the wider Hawea community would have opportunities to contribute to site planning and future learning priorities.
The acquisition process was guided by the Public Works Act and it was now too early for wider community involvement, Ms Bell said.
The ministry would continue to update the school board and consult the community when the time was right, she said.