Construction has officially begun on the long-awaited new Richmond Agricultural Centre, which will deliver a world-class education in agriculture and science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) as part of the Minns Labor Government’s work to rebuild public education.
Co-located with Western Sydney University’s Hawkesbury campus and catering for approximately 360 students from Kindergarten to Year 12, facilities will include modern classrooms, five science labs, farming facilities, a greenhouse, multipurpose hall, canteen, administration facilities, and Covered Outdoor Learning Area (COLA).
This major milestone comes after the Minns Labor Government acquired a new location for the centre, after the previous site announced by the former Liberal and National Government was found to be contaminated and unsuitable for agricultural education.
Richmond Agricultural Centre will relocate from current temporary facilities at Western Sydney University’s (WSU) Hawkesbury campus to a new permanent location on the site when it opens on Day 1, Term 1, 2027.
The new centre is partnered with Richmond High School, and will provide students from across Western Sydney with access to resources, facilities, partnerships and programs already in place at the university.
The new Richmond Agricultural Centre will continue to operate in partnership with Richmond High School, with Agricultural STEM selective students and Agricultural STEM specialty students attending the centre three days per week and Richmond High School two days per week.
This will give students opportunities to further their education in cutting-edge agricultural and STEM practices and create opportunities for collaboration with other experts, educational institutions and agricultural industries.
The project is part of the Minns Labor Government’s record $9 billion investment in new and upgraded schools across the state, including $3.9 billion for new and upgraded schools in Western Sydney.
While building world-class education facilities where they are needed most, the Minns Labor Government is also ensuring there is a qualified teacher in front of every classroom, slashing teacher vacancies in NSW public schools by 61 per cent since 2022.
Acting Minister for Education and Early Learning Courtney Houssos said:
“This is a major milestone for this school community. We thank them for their patience while we secured a suitable site that will serve students well into the future.
“The Richmond Agricultural Centre will be a game-changer for students in Western Sydney and across the state who are interested in pursuing a career in agriculture industry.
“We are pleased to be delivering this world-class facility, cleaning up the mess left by the former Liberal National Government.”
Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education Steve Whan said:
“This is a great example of what can be achieved when secondary and tertiary education come together to deliver learning facilities that support students’ future needs.
“The new Richmond Agricultural Centre will have a strong focus on transitional farming practices between urban and regional areas, which is important for food security and economic development now more than ever.
“Having the centre co-located at the WSU Hawkesbury campus will also help provide students with clear career pathways into the agricultural sector.
Federal Member for Macquarie Susan Templeman said:
“I was delighted to represent the Deputy Premier and Minister for Education, Prue Car, at this significant milestone for the Richmond Agricultural Centre.
“It was great to speak with the site workers, some of them locals, about the unique design, and to see this major investment by the NSW Government in public education.
“The new centre will make it even easier for students in the Hawkesbury to access world-class agricultural and science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education.”
Richmond Agricultural Centre Principal Kristine Beazley said:
“Today marks a key step towards delivering a much-needed, purpose-built facility that supports our students’ futures and strengthens our links with industry, TAFE, and university partners.
“Richmond Agricultural Centre offers agricultural and STEM learning opportunities to students, with partnered learning experiences with academia and industry, preparing the next generation of scientists, agribusiness and data experts, agriculturalists and innovators to meet the challenges of a changing landscape, from sustainability to food security and emerging technologies.
“It’s fantastic that we will soon have a new permanent home for our school and we can’t wait to see construction progress.”