In a bold move on Thursday, Education Minister Rob Stokes announced a new unit that would oversee the planning, supply and maintenance of the state’s schools.

The minister said Education Infrastructure NSW was established to ensure there was sufficient learning spaces in government schools to expect a projected blow-out in student numbers of up to 21 per cent by 2031. 

The agency will also be tasked with implementing joint community use and partnership models to provide cost effective and community-focused solutions.

This could include striking agreements between regional councils and developers to contribute to funding for infrastructure to be jointly used between communities and schools.

“The establishment of the new agency underlines the high priority the NSW Government is placing on effectively responding to this growth,” Mr Stokes said.

The move has sparked fears that overcrowded schools could mean less room for students to move around in.

Regional P&C chairwoman Rachael Sowden believes the overcrowding problem is not “Sydney centric”.

“I think it (school infrastructure) then becomes a bit of blame shifting,” Dr Sowden said.

“Councils are already struggling to make sure they have facilities for the community, but I believe there is already things in place to ensure council facilities are available for schools. This reduces the government’s requirements to provide what their mandate is in education.

“There are also concerns about the reduced areas of play space in schools, particular for schools that are currently overcrowded or at capacity.

“Will the lack of outdoor space lead to having to have staggered lunch breaks or more playground incidents?”