Traffic – if there are 129 new houses on the high school site, how much extra traffic will this generate on local roads? Concerns about safety especially for children attending the Newborough Primary School.

Leisure, sport and recreation needs of local residents and the wider community have been ignored. As the suburbs become more crowded as a result of urban infill there is a greater the need for playing fields, parks, playgrounds, and green space, not less.

There is a recognised shortage of public open space in the "grid" designed suburbs south of the high school. Backyards are disappearing as a result of urban infill, creating a need for more open space for children to play.

The Scarborough High School land is Crown Land it belongs to all of us, it should not be sold off to benefit a privileged few. This magnificent land with panoramic views of the ocean has been enjoyed by the community for over 40 years. It belongs to the people and it should remain in public ownership for future generations.

Local families continue to be disadvantaged by having to send their children to Churchlands or Carine High School several kilometres away. The cost of bus fares is borne by families and the travel time by the children, who until their local high school was demolished, could walk or ride their bikes to school.

There are four primary schools in the local area. Where do these children go when they reach high school? Where will a new high school be built in the future? Every new government high school scheduled to open this year is over-enrolled (The West Australian 22/12/00). The Scarborough High School land should be available for a community high school in the future.

The State Government and the City of Stirling have done a "deal" to sell off the high school land. Who will benefit? The Government by a huge boost in revenue, a measly $2.2m of which has promised for the people, and the City of Stirling by a huge boost in rates. What benefits will there be for the local community? None!

The Government said 30% of the site would be public open space. We now know only 15% is public open space and the rest will be subdivided for 129 houses and roads. The Scarborough High Open Space Action Group conducted a survey which found that 91% of local people said they would use the land if it was kept as public open space and playing fields. 93% of local people want this land to remain in public ownership for community use.

The Minister for Education, Colin Barnett, broke his promise to the community that the high school hall/gymnasium, swimming pool and adjacent land for public open space would be kept following the closure of the school. These facilities were the first to go when the school was demolished in January 2000. We want these facilities replaced on the high school land.

We want the land to become the Scarborough High Centennial Park to celebrate our heritage and the Centenary of Federation in the suburbs where most Australians live, work and play.

Page created - 2 January. 2001.  Page last updated - 14 August, 2006 15:08:48 +1000