Steiner School looks for new location
SITE SEARCH
Proponents of a new Steiner School in Mossman have started the search for a new site in the area, after they decided that proceeding with plans to occupy the old Girl Guide Hall would be too costly and time consuming.
Building a road into the hall across the Foxton Nature Reserve, and survey, planning and application fees were among factors that have now made the organising committee decide the option is cost prohibitive.
Director of the Tropical North Steiner School Amber Stevenson said at a deputation meeting with Douglas Shire Council staff last week, all of the many hurdles were spelled out clearly and it was decided the school will no longer proceed at the Girl Guide Hall.
“It looks like we will be moving away from the land that we currently lease with the hall on it, and finding a new, more suitable location with no issues,” Ms Stevenson said.
Finding the right site for a Steiner School will not be an easy task.
For example, being an education institution, there is a requirement to have on-site parking.
“Even if there’s street parking, we have to have space for at least three car parks. It has to be the correct zoning and also we have to take into consideration that to be in alignment with the Steiner philosophy, we want green space and outdoor area for kids to play in, all that sort of thing.”
The Steiner School has already found plenty of support from community members who want the school in the shire – the first of its kind here – and has been given the official state go ahead to establish, once the committee finds the ideal location and building.
Ms Anderson is optimistic that working together with supporters, they will be able to move on and locate the right place.
On the basis of the old hall being the school location, they had planned to take in a maximum of 15 children for their first year, but that could change if they find a larger building.
“For the first year, we were approved to Class Three and then we would grow with the children, eventually going to Class Six.”
They already have expressions of interest for children to attend the school from 2023 through to 2027.
“There’s two families on there that as soon as their babies were born, they put their details on our expressions of interest.”
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