While the NSW Farmers’ Association supports the call for future investment in a unique agricultural secondary school and its functional farm in Sydney, it remains opposed to any sell off of Hurlstone's land, either now or in the future.
NSW Farmers’ Association Rural Affairs Committee chair Sarah Thompson says Hurlstone Agricultural High School is one of the few institutions "actively bridging the city-country divide".
"It requires further investment from the Government, not less," she said.
"Never before has there been such a need for a well-qualified workforce in agriculture and the inquiry has recognised that Hurlstone is a pivotal link in the chain.
"Managing the requirements of the city students, the rural boarding students and the operational farm is fundamental to Hurlstone’s future growth."
Ms Thompson said the retention of the farm was an integral part of Hurlstone’s schooling.
"In order to meet the current agricultural shortfall of 800 undergraduate positions per year we must encourage enrolment into agriculturally related studies and Hurlstone, with its fully functioning farm, is an ideal facility to help fill this requirement," she said.
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