Shifting demographics trigger Sydney Adventist College, Strathfield site listing

Declining enrolments have triggered the listing of the 1.6-hectare site of the Sydney Adventist College in Strathfield.

It's been operating since 1953 at the campus which will close at the end of the year. The property was transferred from the Tein family for £250 to the Australasian Conference Association.

The Albert Road college was originally built to cater to 550 students, but enrolments have declined to 146 as families have moved to the outer suburbs.

The college's junior campus in Auburn will remain open.

The school had become economically unsustainable as there had been a steady decline in enrolments over the past 20 years.

"This situation and the uncertain economic climate have forced us to make some very difficult decisions," President of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Greater Sydney, Pastor Michael Worker, told the News Ltd local paper in July.

The site's current zoning of special uses (school) is set to attract interest from other private schools, universities, private colleges and religious groups such as Scientology and the Hare Krishna.

It is currently leased in part to Australian Catholic University. The gross rental has been $182,000 per annum. 

It's possible interest could also come from aged-care interests along with residential developers, as the draft Strathfield local environment plan, which was exhibited earlier this year, proposes low-density R2 residential.

Offers are due October 25 through Colliers International agents Jonathon Canavan and Phillip Bradac.

The substantial parcel of land has high school facilities, a large auditorium providing indoor sports courts/gym, stage and seating for some 1,000 to 1200 people.

There are administration offices, numerous specialty teaching areas, laboratories, wood works, metal work and other arts and crafts areas, a library, canteen, two tennis / basketball courts, a sports field, car parking and two freestanding homes.

Local agents suggest it should be worth at least $1000 a square metre, especially with the current improvements on the site.