Parents at Umina Beach Public School say they have been left frustrated and disappointed following an on-site meeting on Wednesday, June 18 with NSW School Infrastructure regarding the proposed location of a new public preschool on school grounds.
The preschool, announced in April, is due for completion by Term 1 2027 and will accommodate up to 60 children per day in specially designed rooms with an outdoor play area.
However, despite broad community support for the concept, concerns over site selection, safety, and consultation have escalated.
Parents say their concerns about asbestos exposure, traffic safety, and the loss of green space remain unaddressed.
“We just had the playground resurfaced because of asbestos,” parent Kristy Lowe said.
“The planned construction site risks exposing what was just covered to protect the kids.”
Others have raised concerns about the decision-making process.
Emily Marshall said the project appeared to be progressing despite unresolved issues.
“The construction company that has been awarded the contract has already started drawing the plans,” she said.
“If the location moves, they’d need new plans altogether.”
An earlier community meeting in May organised by the Umina Beach P&C highlighted calls for greater transparency and raised an alternative location — near M Block — deemed more appropriate by many parents.
Infrastructure staff cited flood risk and access issues for not choosing that location, but locals remain unconvinced.
“The flood maps were vague and at times contradictory,” Emily Marshall said, noting that the area deemed unsuitable for the preschool was still considered viable for relocating OOSH (before or after school care).
P&C member Nellie Feeney said NSW Infrastructure staff had little information on key issues such as asbestos management or traffic reports and minimal engagement with Central Coast Council.
“They couldn’t answer many of our questions,” she said.
“The meeting felt like a box-ticking exercise.”
Federal Member for Robertson Dr Gordon Reid and State Member for Gosford Liesl Tesch have made representations to the Education Minister, with Tesch assuring the community in May that their feedback would be considered.
However, many now feel the consultation process has fallen short.
“Initially, there was an appearance of consultation, but when pushed, the NSW School Infrastructure team admitted not much would change,” Sarah Lambkin said.
In response, Department of Education spokesperson Matthew Bridges said all feedback from the community session would be reviewed.
He said the current location was selected to minimise the impact on play space and that the proposed car park was a requirement of the council’s development approval process.
“We acknowledge the concerns raised and will review all feedback from the session,” Bridges said.
Construction is currently planned to begin ahead of the 2027 opening, with parents calling for more meaningful consultation and transparency before any work proceeds.
Ivona Rose
