The not-for-profit organisation, which provides day programs for people living with a disability, has been lobbying for use of the site for more than 18 months after the school moved early last year.

A recent decision to overturn an auction of the school, saw Sunnyfield offered the direct sale of the property. 

The department’s valuer assessed the value of the property at $475,000 (GST exclusive), which Sunnyfield campaigners said is “simply too high”.

Sunnyfield Disability Services chief executive officer Caroline Cuddihy visited the Gunnedah service on Friday and said Sunnyfield was still in negotiations to purchase the site, however, had signed a 12-month lease in the meantime.

She said the lease was subject to development application approval by Gunnedah Shire Council, but hoped Sunnyfield could be using the facility by December.

“We are still working with the department on proposals for the sale of the site, however the number one priority at the moment is to transfer our clients from their current facility,” Ms Cuddihy said.

“Once the clients needs are met, we will sort out the rest.”

Gunnedah Shire mayor Owen Hasler said the council would continue to support  Sunnyfield in its negotiations with the Department of Education.

“We are advocating that the significant community contribution put into the school site originally, in terms of land; buildings and pool etc, should be recognised in any price reduction determined by the department,” Cr Hasler said.

“I don’t believe the community should be purchasing the site twice, it has already put a large amount of money into it and it needs to be realistically recognised.”

Ms Cuddihy said it was wonderful to see a “wealth of community support” for the service.

“We have so many supporters of our families,” she said.

“At the end of the day it’s more than just a building, it’s a whole community and it gives choice and opportunity for our clients and future clients.”