The community now has until 14 March to tell the ACT Government what it values about Flynn primary school and grounds. This is significantly longer than the single day originally offered to the ACT community in early February, but it is still not as long as hoped.
The six weeks is the bare minimum required under the ACT‘s Community Engagement Manual, but at least the community has this chance to now tell the ACT Government about the value they have for the school buildings and grounds.
In the next few weeks, the John Flynn Community Group will be compiling the information it already has through community responses. They will ask for further contributions of stories, photographs and other information about the school, the preschool, the health centre, and the school fields, playgrounds and landscape.
If you have something to contribute, you can get in touch with the John Flynn Community group through the contact form on this website.
Community feedback over many years leaves no doubt that the precinct is highly valued for its architecture and spectacular setting within the landscape and grounds. Apart from some inappropriate modifications at the childcare centre, the place still has a high level of integrity, and this increases its heritage significance.
The significance of the Flynn precinct stems from its community value as well as the widely recognised architectural qualities.
When the school closed, a lot of people felt like they had lost a relative and it was clear that this was so much more than a school. Many people have explained it was their meeting place, recreation centre, playing fields, heart of the community and connection with John Flynn and the Flying Doctors. Now this is their chance to record what they value.
Various members of the Flynn community and Liberal and Labor politicians had made strong representations to the government before the deadline was extended, and it is a relief that the community will now be given some chance to comment.
We have also sought an undertaking from ACT government that no construction and demolition works would occur until the community has submitted its expression of value and had that properly considered.
Only a handful of people were aware of a poorly-advertised meeting in November, and some Flynn residents received a newsletter in the junk mail or an email around Australia Day giving just one week or less to comment until l the department (CSD) extended the deadline and updated their website in February.
The community hopes this extension is the sign of improved prospects for heritage and the future of the site following a series of intolerable processes since the school closures were first announced in 2006.
