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2026 Budget impacts on pension and healthcare subsidies
LIFESTYLE The remarkable career of
Hills Shire GP, Dr Robert Elliott
HISTORY Surveyor Scrivener and the shaping of Mount Irvine
POLITICS Home care pricing caps delayed
HEALTH & WELLBEING Protect yourself against RSV today
ESCAPES & EXCURSIONS Exploring some of the best holiday destinations- here and abroad
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LIFE & STYLE
Major education boost for The Hills in NSW Budget
Families across The Hills are set to benefit from the largest investment in public education infrastructure in the region’ s history, with the Minns Labor Government announcing a series of new schools and major upgrades as part of the 2026-27 NSW Budget.
The funding package includes two new schools in Bella Vista, a new public preschool and a significant upgrade to Cherrybrook Public School. Funding has also been secured to progress planning for the long-term future of Castle Hill High School.
The new projects bring the Minns Government’ s total investment in education infrastructure across The Hills to almost $ 1 billion since coming to office. A new high school at Bella Vista is scheduled to open on the first day of Term 1, 2029. The school will cater for 1,200 students and feature a multipurpose hall, large playing field and a masterplan that allows for future expansion.
The school is expected to help meet growing demand in the area while easing pressure on both Castle Hill High School and Kellyville High School.
A second project will see the construction of Bella Vista West Public School, which will accommodate 1,000 students and open on the first day of Term 1, 2030. A new co-located public
preschool will also be built as part of the development.
The new primary school, preschool and high school will be located between Memorial Drive and Balmoral Road, close to both Kellyville and Bella Vista Metro stations.
The investment is designed to reduce enrolment pressure on nearby schools, including Kellyville Public School and Bella Vista Public School.
Cherrybrook Public School will also receive a major upgrade, delivering 28 new permanent classrooms, a new hall, canteen and expanded library. The project will also allow for the removal of demountable classrooms currently on the site.
The upgrade is intended to support future population growth associated with proposed housing developments in Cherrybrook.
The latest funding announcement adds to a range of education projects already underway in The Hills, including a new high school at Box Hill, new primary schools and public preschools at The Gables and Box Hill, as well as major upgrades at Matthew Pearce Public School, Rouse Hill High School, Castle Hill Public School and Excelsior Public School.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Education and Early Learning, Prue Car,
Deputy Premier and Minister for Education and Early Learning, Prue Car, with local children at the Bella Vista site.
said the investment represented a major milestone for the region.
“ This is the biggest investment in education in The Hills in a generation,” Ms Car said.
“ Families in Bella Vista will have access to a world-class public education – from preschool right through to the HSC – all on the doorstep of two Metro stations.“ As the Minns Labor Government works to deliver new homes in Cherrybrook, we are also ensuring those families have access to world-class public school infrastructure through a major upgrade to Cherrybrook Public School.
“ Only a Labor Government invests in education because we understand that supporting schools is about securing the future for children, families and growing communities like The Hills.”
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THE HILLS INDEPENDENT theindependentmagazine. com. au ISSUE 133 // JULY 2026 13