Ms Firth yesterday morning announced 140-hectares of the school would not be sold off.

Instead she would follow the recommendations of a report written by former NSW Farmers Association president Mal Peters - but the Opposition has said her change of mind showed how off track the government was in the first place.

Opposition education spokesman Adrian Piccoli said an “expensive” inquiry had to be held to stop the government’s back of the envelope plans to sell the land.

"Sadly, this all could have been avoided if the State Labor Government had listened to the community in the first place,” Mr Piccoli said.

“(Premier) Kristina Keneally and Verity Firth still haven’t announced who will retain control of the school and boarding house, and who the Commercial manager will be answerable to.”

The government will raise $13 million to upgrade the school by selling 10ha of the institution.

It will also increase the overall size of the school by 20ha when it leases a nearby 30ha. Ms Firth decided to:

• Establish new, modern agricultural disciplines at the school
• create greater links between Hurlstone and neighbouring schools and agricultural research facilities
• appoint a commercial manager for the operation of the boarding facility and farm
• lease 30 hectares of land from a vacant adjoining site owned by the Department of Planning for the school to use, subject to the construction of the South West RailLink on part of the site.

* Check out next week’s edition of The Land, in newsagents Thursday, March 25, for comprehensive coverage about what the new Hurlstone will look like.