The East Launceston Parents & Friends Association Inc. Executive are excited to be in the final stages of executing the land swap between the Department of Education and the Association.  The Executive strongly believe that the Land Swap Proposal is in the best interests of both the P&F Association and the School, particularly current and future students.

The Land Swap Proposal:

• Will ensure that the entire oval can be preserved as an oval and protected from possible development, with the final quarter of the oval being transferred to the P&F from the Department.

• Allows ownership of the Pavilion to pass to the DoE, who have committed to performing the necessary upgrades needed to make it of a standard meeting contemporary requirements, suitable for use by the school and community.

• Saves the P&F expenses related to maintenance of the Pavilion of more than $19K annually.

• Allows the P&F to invest in projects for the Oval that will be of benefit for the school and the community.

What are the next steps with the Land Swap Proposal?

The DoE and Crown Solicitors have negotiated with the ELPS P&F Association Executive to   draw up a proposed agreement for the conditions of the land exchange. This agreement is available to the P&F Association members for consideration.

The P&F Executive has called for a Special General Meeting to vote on a Special Resolution to enact the agreement on March 26, 2021. The vote will need at least 75% of votes in favour of accepting the agreement will be reached for the Executive to enact the agreement.

Other Information

Will the P&F be wearing costs such as Stamp Duty and other fees and charges?

No. The DoE will be paying for all costs associated with the land swap including Stamp Duty and conveyancing fees and charges.

What sort of projects will the P&F be looking to fund after the land swap?

The 2012 Master Plan made recommendations for projects for the P&F for the oval and surrounds. Many of these are still viable, such as a community garden. The P&F will also be looking at playground equipment, and facilities like an ‘outdoor gym’ similar to Royal Park. The P&F will work with the school and community on appropriate projects.

What are the risks to the P&F?

There are several identified risks with the land swap. Some if the land swap does not go ahead, and some if it does.

If the land swap does not go ahead?

• If the land swap does not go ahead the portion of the oval that the DoE currently own can be developed by the DoE in future. This space is the most used space by the students of the school. It may result in a reduction of ‘play’ area including that is used daily by students.

• If the land swap does not go ahead, the P&F will be forced to fund upgrades to the Pavilion to bring it up to a required standard by the DoE. This will be a considerable drain on funds, and will result in fundraising efforts being directed towards capital works rather than fundraising for the school (a primary objective of the P&F).

If the land swap does go ahead?

• The area of land to be exchanged with the DoE (the Oxford Street bank) will no longer be in control of the P&F, however the DoE have earmarked the area to reinstate a playground area to replace the playground that was removed for the Kinder Build. The DoE have agreed that the title will not be transferred to another Government department. If further development of this area is planned, then this must go through the Development Approval process at which time there will opportunity for consultation, review and objections.

• The Oxford Street bank will no longer be available to the P&F for development of projects such as the Community Garden. The P&F will need to look at other areas of land for such projects.

What are the boundaries of the land swap?

The proposed boundaries of the land swap are detailed in Figure 1, below.

Figure 1: Proposed Boundaries of the Land Swap