Waitara Public School Redevelopment

As a parent and grandparent I believe that most people would not send
their infants/primary school child to a school that has 1000 pupils.
It is simply not appropriate for children in that age group. If there
are really that number of children in the catchment of Waitara Public
School, and I doubt it, land should be acquired elsewhere and a new,
smaller school built and a stop should be put on out-of-area children
being enrolled. Also other schools in the region could be enlarged to
accommodate a few more children.

As a resident of the area, the surrounding streets are simply not
adequate to increase traffic in and out any more and such a project
would result in exacerbating an already difficult situation. The
safety of the children would be seriously jeopardised as a result. The
streets around are already quite unsafe because of the expanded
traffic volume generated by the Hornsby Hospital redevelopment.

Also, a four storey building is completely out of character with the
surrounding developments.

I would emphatically ask that this application be rejected and a more
appropriate solution found.

I strongly object to the increase in height and capacity of Waitara
Public School. Where are the 1,000 cars going to park as the
mothers/fathers arrive to drop and pick up children? The traffic in
Myra Street in the afternoons and mornings is already impossible
during school zone times. I turn from Myra into Edgeworth David, then
turn into Jubilee to come home. I have to wait up to 5 or 6 changes of
the lights to turn into Edgeworth David now as parking and crossing
parents reduce the street to one lane. What is it going to be like
when 1,000 children attend the school?

This is a very high traffic area as commuters use this road to come
home, to go to Hornsby and through to northern areas.

Next, I strongly object to the removal of the beautiful mature trees
on the property. How come it is not OK for me to remove mature native
trees but it is for governments?

I would guess as with all other developments that there will be no
onsite parking other than for teachers. WE LIVE IN A CAR SOCIETY, a
thing that governments and councils forget. If this has to be, then
incorporate a large turning circle and parking for parents to pick up
etc. inside the school grounds. Put a second lane onto Edgeworth David
outside the school to accomodate busses.

I do not want parents parking in Collings Street to pick up children.
Collings Street is already used for the residents of Jubilee Street to
store their vehicles leaving nowhere for visitors to my house to park.
We also have a retirement village opposite the school that has many
visitors. The area will simply become impossible. We bought in this
area because it was quiet with easy parking....not anymore.

I STRONGLY object to an increase in capacity, height and the removal
of trees.

The SSD application is non-compliant on grounds if Biodiversity since the
proponent's Ecologist Consultant, Luke Baker of Niche Environment and
Heritage (Niche) has failed to prepare a report pursuant the Framework
for Biodiversity Assessment.

No compensatory measures have been provided (eg replanting).

Niche has produced a short, incomplete report that fails to recognise
the high likelihood of the Grey-headed Flying-fox (Pteropus
poliocephalus) (vulnerable under the Threatened Species Conservation
Act 1995 (now Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016) which will forage on
the fruit and flowers of many of the trees proposed for removal (eg
Eleaocarpus reticulatus, Pittosporum undilatum, Callistemon spp,
Lophostemon confertus, and is often found in the locality (see NSW
Wildlife Atlas). These trees are important in this part of Hornsby
Local Government Area which as a whole has lost a significant
proportion of its canopy trees in the last decade. Niche have
incorrectly identified the likelihood of this species as "None" when
it should state "Likely" and be adequately assessed of impact, at the
very least through preparation of an Assessment of Significance
pursuant 5A of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979.
This is a blatant ommission and needs to be rectified in a new FBA
report.

The same issue applies for the Powerful Owl (Ninox strenua) listed as
vulnerable under the TSC Act/BC Act. This Owl is known to hunt for
possums and birds in the locality (see NSW Wildlife Atlas) and is
likely to utilise the school grounds for foraging purposes.Niche have
incorrectly identified the likelihood of this species as "None" when
it should state "Likely" and be adequately assessed of impact, at the
very least through preparation of an Assessment of Significance
pursuant 5A of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979.
This is a blatant ommission and needs to be rectified in a new FBA
report.

The same issue applies to the Eastern Bent-wing Bat (Miniopterus
schreiberssii oceanensis) listed as vulnerable under the TSC Act/BC
Act. This bat is known to forage around trees in the local area and is
likely to roost in the crevices of buildings and in drains. There has
been no mention of this, instead Niche have incorrectly identified the
likelihood of this species as "None" when it should state "Likely" and
be adequately assessed of impact, at the very least through
preparation of an Assessment of Significance pursuant 5A of the
Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979. This is a blatant
ommission and needs to be rectified in a new FBA report.

In the absence of an adequate Biodiversity Assessment, as an exper is
this matter eith knowledge of the Study Area, I object to this project
until a satisfactory Biodiversity Assessment can be produced that
adequately addresses the ommissions listed above.

I object to this redevelopment, on the grounds that traffic congestion is
already a daily occurrence, during school zones hours, at the
intersection of Edgeworth David / Myra Street. Driving down from
Horsnby station along Edgeworth David Ave, cars queue up as far back
as Sherbrook Road. Parents dropping off/picking up students always
slow down to a standstill, to find the nearest spot to park. When this
redevelopment starts (demolition trucks etc.} will cause even more
congestion and noise, not to mention damage on road surface, I would
support such redevelopment ONLY if all traffic activities are limited
to Highlands Ave and Oleander Road,
Please note:Palmerston Road is already squashed between projects at
Hornsby Hospital and Burdette Street, we always face diversion and
rough road surface, for the past several months, and completion is
nowhere in sight.

I object to the proposal of the expansion of the Waitara Public School.
Building Height:
Following review of the proposal I strongly feel that a 20meter tall /
four story building with a raised roof is out of character for the
area and will set a precedent for future developments in this
residential area.

On-site Parking:
The proposed "status-quo" on the existing 12 on-site parking spaces is
deemed insufficient given the number of on-site staff and the proposed
increase of on-site staff (teachers and support staff) I note that the
Traffic Impact Study (TIS) does not consider any additional support
staff that is required to work at the school. The proposal does not
adequately address the parking and access arrangements as outlined in
the SEAR. Local streets are already inundated with parked cars from
Hornsby Hospital.

Traffic Impact Study:
In my view the TIS does not reflect the expected increased vehicle
traffic on Myra and Edgeworth David Avenue upon completion of the
North Connex, as local streets will be used to "feed into" the new
North Connex.

The proposal must accommodate an on-site pick-up/drop-off zone to
avoid further traffic congestion on Edgeworth David and Myra Street
during AM and PM peak, and to offer the suggested 55% of students (who
indicated to "park and walk" and "vehicle drop-off") a safe option to
meet parents/guardians away from the main road.

The TIS already acknowledged the poor LoS at the intersection of Myra
and Edgeworth David Avenue. It also confirmed the long delays for
traffic turning off Myra and traffic turning into Jubilee Street.

The proposal must include a bus lay-over OFF the main road.

The TIS confirms the lack of dedicated and safe cycleways in the
vincinity of Waitara Public School which is a concern given the
proposed bike rack facilities at the Public School.

The TIS refers to a single crash involving a pedestrian in the last 5
years. The TIS does not include any further details on vehicle
accidents. From personal observation i can confirm a significant
number of vehicle accidents on the intersection Edgeworth David / Myra
street and Edgeworth David / Jubilee street. Those accidents must be
considered in the TIS as it will impact on the safety of students in
the area.

The adjacent footpath alongs these roads / intersection have no safety
barriers to protect students and pedestrians from a vehicle crash,
especially at the intersection Myra / Edgeworth David and the
intersection Edgeworth David / Jubilee street.

Porposed on-site sporting facilities:
In my view the propsed redevelopment of the school grounds does not
offer adaquate on-site sporting facilities (the propsal includes a
soccer field, handball courts and a basketball court). Off-site
sporting activities -if applicable- will further increase the
movements of students around bus stops.

Reflectivity
The residents along Edgeworth David Avenue are likely to experience
nuisance from the reflection off the 205 solar panels facing North.
Has this been considered?

Due to lack of parking and not enough arrangements being made increased
traffic to the area.

Refer attachment for submission.

See attached

See attached

See Attached

See attached

See attached

See attached

See attached

See attached

See attached

See attached

See Attached

See attached.