Michael and Rita Nicolaou are in the middle of a chaotic situation that is seeing their delayed move away from their home hold up development of a new school in Box Hill.

The couple’s home was bought out in early 2023 for what is alleged to be $27 million as part of the NSW government’s plans to build a primary and high school in Sydney’s Box Hill, as reported in The Saturday Telegraph.

The government wishes to commence construction on the site in the next two weeks to meet a January 2028 opening deadline, with departmental sources claiming the Nicolaous have refused to move out.

The couple claimed there was never a strict deadline communicated to them on their need to move until three months ago, as they were in the process of getting everything ready for the move which has also been impacted by recent wet weather.

“The thing is that when we were acquired, (the department) were in no rush, and they said we could stay here … until they’re ready. So they have been coming and going … we’re not against the school,” Rita Nicolaou said.

“We had three months but it rained the entire period and it was a mud-fest. Their own people, their own contractors, got bogged here.”

The couple stated they were only paid the full amount “a couple of months ago” and had requested a one-month extension for the move.

The couple also claimed the department had also failed to deliver an easement to help them move their many farm animals as part of the deal, stating they cannot go until it is done.

An Education Department spokesman said the Nicolaous had been able to live at the property “rent-free” since it was “purchased” in 2023.

“We have reached a critical point where construction must begin,” the spokesman said.

“The former owners have requested another extension, but work must now begin on the site that will serve 2000 students.”

The proposed schools will cater for 1000 students each at primary and high school level as a direct response to the suburb’s rapid growth in student numbers since 2018.

Between 2018 and 2023, the number of new homes rose by more than 400 per cent though the lack of a nearby school meant families have had to send their kids to others around 45 minutes away.

The department is reportedly now considering enlisting sheriffs to evict the family on 16 September so they can commence work on the school.