Hillsborough community loses battle to save Monte Cecilia School

Monte Cecilia School in Hillsborough. Photo / Martin Sykes

The Hillsborough community's desperate attempt to save Monte Cecilia School has failed.

Its eviction was confirmed last night when the Auckland Transition Agency confirmed the decision of the Auckland City Council to buy the land occupied by the school from the Catholic Diocese.

Friends of Monte Cecilia member Anne Nicholson told the Herald that the community had felt left out of the entire process.

"We had faith that ATA would look after the needs of greater Auckland ... and that the school that had lived here for so long would remain. But we were never consulted."

Councillors who had opposed the eviction said the decision was profoundly disappointing.

"That the ATA has not felt able to respond to the pleas of the Hillsborough community that they have had no real input into the council's decision to demolish the school is sad," said councillor Cathy Casey.

She added that the battle for the 220-pupil school was not yet over - the school rebuilding project still hadto get through the resource consent process.

The council has gradually been acquiring land for Monte Cecilia Park from the church since 2000 and has first right of refusal to buy the school land.