College $5M upgrade for more students

Concept drawing of the new school buildings and playground

Mackillop Catholic College at Woongarrah will undergo a major building redevelopment of more than $5M to accommodate an increase in students and staff.

Plans have been submitted to Central Coast Council for the demolition of some buildings, construction of new school buildings, tree removal and landscape improvements.

College grounds on the corner of Sparks Rd and Mary Mackillop Dr, opposite Minnesota Rd, comprise buildings for kindergarten to Year 12 education, administration, library, multi-purpose hall, indoor and outdoor learning spaces, sports courts, a church and a presbytery.

The proposed development aims to consolidate, upgrade and expand the existing learning facilities which will see the demolition and removal of 16 buildings clustered adjacent to the northwest corner of the campus.

Demolition will include seven permanent classroom blocks and associated amenities, six demountable buildings, three amenities/storage structures, existing pathways, shade sails and hard stand areas.

Three new buildings will be constructed – Block V, Block W and Block T.

Block V (Years 3 and 4) and Block W (Years 5 and 6) will each be double-storey buildings comprising eight new general learning areas and shared activity areas, together with associated facilities such as storage areas and toilets.

The three-storey Block T will house 12 new general learning areas for kindergarten to Year 2 students.

These new buildings will allow for an additional 275 students and 34 staff.

It is proposed to deliver the development over three stages to resolve some of the topographical challenges for access and use of available play space.

Blocks V and W and the new amenities buildings will be provided as stage one.

Block T, pathway and pedestrian upgrades and landscaping adjacent Blocks T and V will be delivered in stage two, and then the southern section of the play area will be delivered as stage three.

More detail is available on Central Coast Council’s website: DA/1200/2024.