Shifting school would cost $15m

Monte Cecilia Primary School opened in 1952 and has a roll of 210 pupils. Photo / Martin Sykes

Residents of Hillsborough and parents of Monte Cecilia Catholic school are upset by the lack of consultation over plans to shift the school to make way for an extended park - a move that will cost ratepayers at least $15 million.

The Auckland City Council and, in particular, councillor David Hay want the school moved from Hillsborough Rd so Monte Cecilia Park can be extended.

However, Friends of Monte, a group made up of parents, community members and supporters of the school, said the community was upset by the lack of consultation and said the decision to move the school was completely unnecessary.

"It will be the most expensive green area in Auckland," said Simon Hertnon, a group spokesman.

He said the site is only 1.1km from Cornwall Park and, at 220ha, Monte Cecilia Park will be "enormous".

The local and school communities were prepared to shift the school buildings to a different part of the park, but wanted the school to remain in the area.

The Auckland City Council had other ideas and earlier this month, the eight members of its arts, Culture and recreation committee voted six to two to relocate Monte Cecilia School to make way for an extended Monte Cecilia Park.

Monte Cecilia is a decile 6, state-integrated school with a roll of 210. It is the parish school of St John Vianney.

The school opened in 1952 and was named after Mother Cecilia Maher of the Sisters of Mercy.

Mr Hertnon said the plan was to relocate the school further along Hillsborough Rd to near St John Vianney Church, but the site was unsuitable.

Its sloped grounds and a swampy area meant the sportsfields would be under water for part of the year.

Friends of Monte have received high-level support from Labour Party leader Phil Goff, who is their local MP.

Yesterday, Mr Goff said the Catholic diocese and the city council had agreed in 2001 that the school could stay at its present site as long as it was used for education.

"It disrupts a school community. There are cheaper options that would suit the school community and would be a lot cheaper for the Auckland ratepayers," the MP said.

He understood it was going to cost the council $15 million for the relocation, and the Liston retirement village was also being shifted at a cost of $5-10 million.

"You're talking of between $20-25 million of ratepayer funds being spent for something that doesn't need to happen. The school doesn't need to be relocated," Mr Goff said.

Mr Hay said $15 million "seemed high", but the costs of the project were unknown and would not be finalised until discussions with the Diocese were complete.

He said he had visited the St John Vianney site, and while it required work, he could not see why it was unsuitable for a school.

Mr Hertnon said the community planned to challenge the decision. "Locals want the school to stay. Everyone is fired up. I don't think it will get past all the hurdles."

Councillor Cathy Casey is a member of the arts, culture and recreation committee and voted against the relocation. She said there could be a win-win situation if the city repositioned the school on the present site.

"Since it's at the back of the homestead, the school can be tucked away out of sight," said Dr Casey.

Mr Hay said the council had been in consultation with the community since 1998 when the Catholic Church was thinking about subdividing the main part of what is now Monte Cecilia Park.

Mr Hay said for 40 years the church had preferred its schools to be on the same site as the local parish church.

MONTE CECILIA SCHOOL

The history:

* Catholic Sisters of Mercy buy land from the Anglican Church in 1913 for an orphanage and later a boys' school.
* Monte Cecilia School opens in 1952.
* In 1998, Auckland City Council designates 10ha of land including the Franciscan Friary, Marcellin College playing fields and Monte Cecilia School land for a park.
* Council purchases majority of designated land in 2001; agreement includes promise to lift designation over school land.
* Monte Cecilia Park named in 2004.
* Council and Catholic diocese begin negotiations in March 2009 for the council to buy the school to extend the park.
* School board and staff first informed in August 2009 of plans to sell the school.
* Community meetings with diocese and council in October 2009 reveal the proposed deal: council pays for land, new site, buildings and fittings.

What happens now:

* Council begins resource consent process.
* Friends of Monte plan to protest and oppose resource application.
* Councillor Cathy Casey plans to ask the council to repeal its committee's decision to shift the school.
* If decision is finalised, school to shift within five years.