In 2008, the Master Plan for Kingston Central Area was prepared because of the planned transfer
of the Kingston High School to its new location in Kingston View Drive.
On 18th June 2011 a Public Meeting was called by Councillor Michelle Higgins. This took place in
the Kingston Beach hall. The hall was packed to capacity. MHA Nick McKim gave the initial address.
The meeting was told that State Treasury was now the owner of the site and the consultant Ernst and
Young had been appointed by that department. Their brief was to make recommendations for the
divestment of the site. No further community consultation had been mentioned at this stage.
After Nick McKim’s address Michelle Higgins chaired the meeting and called upon the meeting to
give their views on their preferred uses for the site. The opinions expressed were wide ranging
including a community centre, public park and recreational facilities, and a medical centre. High
on the list was the possibility of using the buildings as a centre for community-based activities.
The possibility of having the site turned into yet another commercial site and retail outlet had
little support from the meeting. The public meeting passed two resolutions unanimously:
1. We believe there is widespread public concern over the future development of the former Kingston High School site.
2. This meeting demands of State and Local Government, genuine and thorough public consultation over any future development of this site, the location of which has significant importance to the local community.
Following this meeting, the Kingborough Community Consultative Forum agreed to form a
sub-committee to determine actions to implement the resolutions endorsed at the public meeting.
Doug Duthoit, (who was at the June public meeting) agreed to organize this sub-committee. This
committee has adopted the name ‘Kingborough Community Action’. The committee meets on a
regular basis and is in the process of developing strategies to ensure that the community is fully
involved in determining the best possible outcome for the future use of this site.
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