FROM next year, all new NSW Public Schools will open their green space and sporting facilities to the local community outside school hours, ensuring access to its sports courts, ovals and playgrounds on weekends and public holidays.
The decision is part of an expansion of the NSW Government’s Share Our Space program, which aims to unlock publicly owned green space.
The expansion will apply to all new public schools being built across NSW and opening within the next two years.
“Our school ovals and sports courts are too valuable to sit unused behind locked gates when there are no kids in the classroom,” NSW Premier Chris Minns said.
In 2025 the Government trialled an earlier iteration of expanded Share Our Space access, opening facilities at 65 schools during the school term and after hours to deliver more than 27,500 additional hours of free community access.
All of those schools have now joined the program in an ongoing capacity, bringing the total number of schools to almost 250.
Seaham, Hinton, Stroud, Booral and Dungog Public Schools already participate in the program during school terms, subject to the operation of after-school care programs.
Share Our Space ties into broader NSW Government initiatives aimed at providing more quality public open spaces for the community and encouraging recreation and physical activity among young people.
In addition to expanding the Share Our Space program in all new schools, the Department of Education is working to bring even more schools on board over the next year.
Priority will be given to schools in areas with the greatest need for access to open space and outdoor recreation facilities.
“Giving local families access to space and facilities in schools that would otherwise be locked up after school, over weekends and during school holidays, is something that just makes sense,” Prue Car, the Minister for Education and Early Learning said.
Schools opening in 2027 that will automatically join the Share Our Space program include: Edmondson Park High School, Jordan Springs High School, Leppington High School, Medowie High School, Melrose Park High School, Tallawong High School, Gables Public School, Macquarie Park Public School, Gledswood Hills High School, Wilton High School, Wilton Ridge Public School, Googong High School, Bungendore High School and Willyama High School.
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