Campbelltown Council is refusing to lease a block of public land on the southern end of Blaxland Road for a locally-based Australian Academy of Performing Arts.

Those behind the proposed 900-student academy were seeking a “peppercorn” lease, which would involve paying less than the market price as the development would provide “public benefit”.

But a council spokeswoman said the land was a “significant community asset” and that council would not turn it over to a private business venture “for no return”.

Gordon Irsak, who manages Jam Studios in Campbelltown, came up with the idea of the academy in 2001 and has pursued it since.

He said the return to both the local community and the council would be considerable.

“We’re talking about a educational institution with hundreds of students from all over the area, nationally and internationally,” Mr Irsak told the Advertiser.

“The area is crying out for something like this.”

“There are so many people with musical talents around here who are struggling to turn their hobby into a profession.”

Mr Irsak said the academy would offer TAFE-style courses in musicianship, music management, multimedia skills and other areas of the creative arts.

Plans for the academy have been drawn up and include 40 classrooms, 60 practice rooms and a 500- seat auditorium which Mr Irsak said could also be used for all kinds of community events.

He said investors had already displayed interest and that he was well into the process of raising funds. The academy’s website lists support for the concept from artists such as Julie Anthony, John Farnham and Lee Kernaghan.

Locally-bred Neighbours star Kym Valentine – a former Leumeah High School student – is also listed as a supporter.

A letter from Mr Irsak’s barrister stated the proposed academy satisfied the requirements for a peppercorn lease.

“Clearly, the academy will bring millions of dollars in revenue into the Campbelltown local government area during the construction phrase and both directly and indirectly through its annual operations over an extended period,” the letter said.

“The academy will play a major role in meeting the increasing challenges that young people in the area face through its innovative curriculum and outreach programs.”

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