A 5.5-hectare site has been selected for a new $61.1 million preschool and primary school in Mount Barker, creating hundreds of additional places for children in the rapidly growing Adelaide Hills community.
The land is located in Mount Barker’s south-east, off Heysen Boulevard and Aston Parade, and was selected following an extensive evaluation of potential sites.
The new primary school will initially accommodate 350 students from reception to year 6, while the co-located preschool will provide up to 100 places.
Existing utilities and service infrastructure at the site are expected to help fast-track the project, while the location has also been assessed to accommodate anticipated traffic and parking movements.
The school will connect directly with pedestrian paths at the neighbouring reserve, providing improved public access for local families.
Planning and design work can now begin, with construction expected to start in 2028. The preschool and primary school are scheduled to welcome their first students at the beginning of the 2030 school year.
Minister for Education, Training and Skills Lucy Hood said the project would help ensure education infrastructure kept pace with Mount Barker’s growing population.
“Education is a big focus of our massive investment in Mount Barker to ensure children and young people have access to a high-quality education in their local area.
“With a site now selected, we can get on with delivering a new preschool and primary school for the growing Hills community.
“Our extensive rollout of local education infrastructure projects will serve families in the area for many years to come.”
The new school forms part of a further $200 million investment in infrastructure and services across the Mount Barker region.
Other education projects include a $96 million redevelopment of Mount Barker High School, which will increase capacity by 200 students and deliver new teaching and learning facilities.
A $25.5 million Mount Barker TAFE Trades Workshop is also planned, providing capacity for up to 1,200 additional apprentices studying electrical, plumbing and carpentry courses closer to home.
Mount Barker District Council Mayor David Leach welcomed the continued investment in local education facilities.
“As one of South Australia’s fastest-growing towns, it’s reassuring to see education infrastructure continuing to grow alongside our population. We look forward to seeing this project develop, enabling our young students access to quality education close to home.
“Council thanks the Malinauskas Government for delivering this essential infrastructure to the Mount Barker and broader Adelaide Hills region.”
Adelaide Hills resident and new mother Emilie Castine said having more education options nearby would support local families.
“Having a new school is a great opportunity for us with our young daughter that’s local, affordable and fits in well with our lifestyle.
“More education facilities so close to home improves accessibility and will help parents returning to work.
“It signifies that Mount Barker is a growing region with lots of young families wanting to move into the area.”
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