LAKE Cathie will get its long-awaited school with funds in the State Budget for the project.
The budget contained money for six new schools including Lake Cathie.
Education Minister Adrian Piccoli said the total capital expenditure for 2012 to 2013 was estimated at $535 million.
“This includes six new schools across the state including at Concord West, Wentworth Point, The Ponds, Lakemba, and meeting our election commitment to build a new school for Lake Cathie,” he said.
Leslie Williams became active in politics to secure a primary school for the town.
Her involvement dates back to 1996.
The Port Macquarie MP said the budget announcement was exciting.
“I know there will be lots of parents who will be extremely excited that it is now real and it’s certainly going to happen and planning is underway,” she said.
The school site has yet to be announced.
Parents Paul and Linda Barnett of Lake Cathie welcomed the announcement of a public school in Lake Cathie. Their two-year-old twins Natasha and Gabrielle will be ready for kindergarten when construction is scheduled to be finished to take enrolments in the first term of 2015.
“Having a school close by will make life easier for us,” said Linda.
Paul said a school would strengthen community spirit in Lake Cathie.
The Barnett family moved to Lake Cathie from Newcastle two years ago, preferring the peaceful lifestyle of the area.
Questions have been raised in the past about the impact a school at Lake Cathie would have on nearby North Haven Public School.
But Mrs Williams said the numbers were there to support a school at Lake Cathie.
“Clearly there will be hundreds of students there when it opens its doors,” she said.
She said the Lake Cathie school was the only new school being built in regional NSW.
The school will open by the first term in 2015 under the state government’s plan.
The budget included the new school but gave no money figure as the project has yet to go to tender.