KEY POINTS:
The row over the siting of the proposed Albany Senior High School will go the Environment Court.
In March, North Shore City Council commissioners recommended significant modifications of plans to Education Minister Chris Carter focused on environmental matters.
But the minister rejected key elements of the recommendations. On Friday, the council's finance and strategy committee decided to appeal against that decision.
Committee chairman Grant Gillon said the council appreciated the importance of having the appeal resolved quickly so it did not affect the opening date of the school.
But it wanted the school designed to protect some important elements of the site and ensure the safety of students.
The minister rejected the council's wish to move the planned buildings closer to Albany Highway to protect native bush, to reduce building site coverage, have a heritage conservation plan prepared for structures on the site and to put a 10-metre protection zone around any significant tree.
School principal Barbara Cavanagh said the appeal did not change the preparations under way for the school, which is to be the country's first state senior secondary school.
"As far as we are concerned we are working on having a school for next year ... The appeal is something we have absolutely no control over."
