Our ACT public schools are shared community assets.

The ACT Government is committed to improving community access to ACT public schools, including outdoor recreational facilities.  

We are exploring opportunities and barriers to community groups and individuals accessing outdoor recreational school facilities when not in use by schools.

The initial focus is on nine ‘hub’ schools selected to participate in the program. 

These schools are Calwell Primary School, Canberra College, Erindale College, Evelyn Scott School, Gold Creek School, Hawker Primary School, Melba Copland College, Namadgi School and Telopea Park School. 

From 29 October to 18 December 2025, community groups and individuals were invited to share their experience of accessing outdoor recreational public school facilities when not in use by schools.

Community members mentioned many benefits from having access to school facilities out of school hours and shared suggestions for improvements to community access.

We would like to thank all those who provided feedback through this community consultation and Community Access Survey.

The feedback provided is summarised in the What We Heard Report now published.

We have used this information to gain a better understanding of the awareness, needs and desires of the community in relation to accessing outdoor recreational school facilities when not in use by schools.

This valuable feedback will shape and improve future use of school assets by community.