It's the divisive issue which has festered for years, split a country town, made enemies of neighbours and cost the NSW government tens of thousands in failed court costs.
But finally the issue has been resolved, the delays are over, and Bungendore now will have its high school relocated to a permanent new site away from the town centre.
The Minns Labor government will build a permanent Bungendore High School on a larger site outside of town that it says "will accommodate a growing population and end years of delay".
While it blamed the Liberals and Nationals for those "years of delay" - former NSW deputy premier and local member John Barilaro originally chose the centre-town site - they also refused to accept the site was unsuitable - on the advice of the Department of Education.
A local community group challenged and won in the NSW Land and Environment Court late last year, triggering an apology from Department of Education caused by previous planning failures, and a commitment to "considering alternative options".
A review determined that a four-hectare site on Birchfield Drive site in North Bungendore was most suitable and was acquired by the NSW government for an undisclosed sum.
Design and planning has started, with the aim of opening in early 2027.
The site is located in a new residential area of Bungendore which is being developed as the town expands.
The new site is larger than the Majara Street site, including space for a full-sized playing field, and the new school will be able to accommodate predicted enrolment growth.
Bungendore High School has been operating out of temporary classrooms crowding out the playing areas for the primary school students.
From term 1 next year, the high school will be open to students from years 7 to 10.
However, the temporary high school will now switch into classrooms within the former council offices at the Majara Street site while the permanent school is built.
Once the new school is complete, the department says its "engage with the local community about future uses of the Majara Street site".
The NSW Deputy Premier and Education Minister Prue Car acknowledged that families had every right to be frustrated by the uncertainty that has lingered on around the high school.
"With the securing of a new site, we will end the uncertainty and deliver a fit-for-purpose school as quickly as possible," she said.
"This site will ensure we are able to provide the best public education and facilities for students in Bungendore well into the future."
Monaro MP Steve Whan was critical of "overly optimistic advice" from the NSW Department of Education over the suitability of the Barilaro-chosen site.
"I'm pleased the department has moved the [school] location to a site that can be delivered as quickly as possible, and that can fit additional students to cater for the growing population," he said.
"This has been a long and frustrating process for the entire community and I thank you all for your patience while we finally get under way with the new school."
