Onslow College’s major campus redevelopment has reached another visible milestone, with groundworks under way and foundations for its new two-storey Block X building expected to begin in late November.
The Johnsonville school shared a new drone image on 22 October showing excavators working across the cleared construction site between existing school buildings.
The new building will replace the former Rec Centre and graphics corridor, which were demolished earlier this year after the school had spent years dealing with ageing and unsuitable facilities.
Block X will include specialist technology spaces, commercial hospitality facilities, a new reception and administration area, dedicated wellbeing spaces and new teaching areas.
The scale of the work is clear in the latest aerial image, with much of the former building footprint now stripped back to bare ground as contractors prepare the site for the foundations.
The project has been a major focus for the school and its board. In its 2026 annual plan, Onslow College identified managing disruption during construction as a priority, alongside meeting the design and build requirements for Block X and keeping families informed about progress.
The site has changed substantially over the past two years.
The Rec Centre was closed in 2024 after the school said the building was at the end of its life, with problems including water on the floor and a failed heating system.
Asbestos removal from the Rec Centre and nearby graphics corridor was carried out during the April school holidays this year before demolition continued.
By the end of April, the school said demolition of the Rec Centre was well under way and the area would be cleared for the new two-storey building.
In May, the school reported that the old Rec Centre had been completely removed and construction of Block X was expected to begin during Term 3.
The latest update gives students, staff and families a more specific next step, with foundation work now expected to start in late November.
Block X is part of a wider programme of upgrades across the Burma Road campus.
Recent projects have included a new bus bay and reception location, seismic work, upgrades to the hall and music areas, a new whare, an artificial turf and associated teaching and changing facilities.
For students and staff who have spent several years studying and working around construction zones, the start of the foundations will mark the point where the new building begins to rise from the cleared site.
