Alterations and Additions to Waverley College

My wife and I live in unit 1502/2A Henrietta Street Waverley NSW in a development known as ‘The Langlee’. There are four buildings in this development and our building is called ‘Palmerston’ and it is in the corner of Henrietta Street and Birrell Street. We are directly impacted by the “east precinct” proposal of Waverley College.
 
The Langlee is an over 55’s residential development and most residents are retired or semi-retired. We have been living here for over a year.
 
Henrietta Street, where the new building and new car parking is proposed, is a narrow one-way car street, but is a two-way cyclist route and already gets quite congested in the morning and afternoon drop off times for the school and throughout the weekend because of the sporting facilities and playing fields known as ‘Waverley Park’ along Birrell Street. Waverley Council note “Waverley Park is the major sport and recreation park in Waverley and popular commuter route for cyclists and pedestrians.” 
 
In addition to our concerns about construction traffic on Henrietta Street and Birrell Street, we are very concerned about the safety of the proposal that dangerously wants to create an entry and exit for double the number of cars into and out of Henrietta Street. This will increase the risk to pedestrians, children, dogs and cyclists - who all use this as a thoroughfare and add to an already congested precinct.
 
The proposal has rather shocking not responded to the state governments sustainability and net zero goals - there aren’t even solar panels proposed for the new building. We would like the department to do a review of the proposal and ensure that all energy efficiency, renewable energy generation, green travel and landscaping initiatives that contribute to the environment and community are required and included in the proposal. The ,current sustainability plan notes that the sustainability initiatives will not be limited to … and then lists several initiatives.  One example to illustrate that this just a list and the proposal is not including these initiatives is that there are no solar panels on any of the refurbished or new buildings.  We object to the current eastern precinct proposal. The proposal removes many trees without any proposition to add at least the same number of trees on the site or around the site – or even across the road in Waverley Oval which is heavily used by the school.
 
We support increasing the capacity of the school, however, this proposal includes a new building (Building 1) with a rooftop terrace - for what purpose? Surely classrooms are needed more than an entertainment roof. The 6 storey – not set back from the street like our development was required to do, is very out of scale and has the potential to be used for activities other than teaching.
 
In keeping with the proposals complete disregard for sustainability, we believe the plan to consolidate and place all the College’s stormwater in a large detention tank, as well as a carpark, all within the protection zone of the fig tree (Tree76) which is listed on the Waverley Council Significant Tree listing, is outrageous and should not be allowed. 
There is permanent parking proposed on the corner of Henrietta and Birrell Street that should be the location of additional stormwater detention.  No parking on the roots of the Significant Tree should be approved.  The proposal will cause major encroachment into the tree’s roots. The works proposed that will impact the tree are the construction of the stormwater detention this 10 year “temporary” that the proposal notes will be converted to a tennis court after Phase 2 of Building 1 is compelte. The tennis court is another red flag for our objection – because no one can play tennis under a large fig tree canopy.  So we can only assume that these activities are intended to kill the tree and create more parking or development for the College.  We are also concerned for the two Wallangarra White Gum’s that are on Salisbury Street side of the College, these are listed as endangered under the Threatened Species Conservation Act and with the excavation for the stormwater tank may also be impacted by the proposal. We object to the stormwater tank and temporary parking works and ask that they be deleted to give the magnificent tree 76 its very best chance of survival.
 
Another mature fig tree, named Tree No 68, is proposed for removal as it is in the footprint of building 1. Building 1 has two stairwell’s and it is the second stairwell that requires the removal of this beautiful tree.  We object to the removal of this tree and believe the building design could and should work around the tree and also not have students leaving a building via a busy staff carpark.  The proposal design should not allow for Tree68 to be removed and should require the single stairwell at the western end of the building.  
 
The visual impact report is inadequate.  Many of the images do not show the full height of the proposal.  Building 1 is 6 storeys with a rooftop terrace and the justification the 6 storeys is that our building (Palmerston) is this height.  It is not - it is 4 full storeys with the top 2 storeys set back from the street to reduce size and scale impacts. The building next to Palmerston is the ‘Glenroy’ and it is just 3 storeys, with the 3rd storey set back.
 
We therefore object to the 6 storey and roof top terrace of the proposal and ask that this building be reduced in height and extend no closer to Henrietta Street than what is proposed as Phase 1. This will also protect Tree 68.  We implore you not to approve Phase 2 of the Building 1. This change would allow for landscaping along Henrietta Street, contributing amenity.  We also object to the Phase 1 Level 5 deck / rooftop terrace and this should also be deleted and used as classroom space. Any roof top out of hour use will have significant noise and privacy impacts on residents of The Langlee.
 
In conclusion, we support most of the alterations and additions proposed by Waverley College except those detailed in this submission and trust you will take these objections and concerns on board when assessing the proposal.  

Thank you.

This submission outlines significant concerns regarding the proposed development at Waverley College.
My concerns focus on construction impacts, post-development traffic implications, insufficient parking provisions, and the scale and placement of the proposed Building 1. I believe these issues require careful reconsideration to ensure the preservation of community amenity.

SUBMISSION - SSD-42425537
Waverley College Redevelopment
To Whom it May Concern:
My name is Claire O’Brien. I am a resident at Unit 4102/2d Henrietta St Waverley NSW 2024.
I am writing regarding the proposed development at Waverley College, a large part of which is
directly opposite my front windows and balcony. If the planning committee would like to see
the interior of my apartment to assess the impact this proposed development at Waverley
College will have on the quiet enjoyment of my home, please contact me to arrange. I would
like to object to the development for the following reasons:
TREES
The Fig Tree marked on the plan as 76 is intended to be kept. However, the storm water
drainage system appears to be very close to to this tree and it is hard to see how the roots and
even the tree itself will not be affected by this construction. There are also a number of other
trees which are marked for removal, one of which is a very mature fig tree. The trees provide
protection from the sun, give the street and the school a very pleasant appearance and are
home to numerous bird species. I have an expert coming to name these birds but may not
have that information available before the submission date. I can send an amendment with that
information.
NOISE
While the school has been in existence since long long before the Langlee Apartments were
built, the new development plans were not in existence (at least not to my knowledge) at the
inception of The Langlee. This new development has the potential to vastly change the look,
feel, comfort and noise level of all apartments on Henrietta St.
MORE TRAFFIC
With the plan to have a car park entrance and exit on Henrietta St, there will obviously be at
least a doubling of traffic, adding to the congestion that already exists in Henrietta St and it’s
outlet streets.
PARKING SPACES
Due to limits set by the council, my apartment does not have parking and I rely on Henrietta St
parking. During a prolonged construction period it is fairly obvious the parking spaces currently
available will be greatly if not all taken up by constructions personnel. I don’t see any plan for
managing that disruption.
CONTAMINATION FROM DEMOLITION
It is very likely the houses on Henrietta St which are marked for demolition on the plan, contain
lead paint and asbestos. This is a hazard to remove and will contribute to poor air quality and
increased dust levels.
ROOF TOP DECK
It is not clear what type of activity will be taking place on the roof deck of the science building.
This activity could be very noisy at night creating disruption for all residents of the Langlee who
face Waverley College.
TENNIS COURT
There is a plan to add another tennis court right in front of the fig tree number 76. Construction
needed for a tennis court is almost certainly going to interfere with the tree roots, not to
mention there is already a steady stream of noise from the numerous existing tennis courts.
The construction of the additional tennis court will also cause the beautiful grassy green
embankment to be diminished if not destroyed. The beauty of the fig tree number 76 and the
grassy embankment give both The Langlee and Waverley College a very beautiful and
distinctive feel and look. This should be preserved.
DANGER TO CYCLISTS
Although Henrietta is a one way street, the food delivery cyclists ride up and down Henrietta in
both directions, mostly at high speed. There is definitely going to be some danger for them and
the students due to the plan to add a car park exit to Henrietta St (which will be in in addition
to the exiting car park entrance on Henrietta).
INCREASE IN STAFF AND STUDENTS
The foot traffic and noise level at various times of the day is quite high. With the projected
increase in students and staff, this will obviously worsen.
NO SET BACK ON HENRIETTA BUILDING
Based on the plans, the building which runs right up to Henrietta St has virtually no setback.
This will block the sun to the Langlee building, causing large shadows and cutting out light.
This aspect of the buildings does not seem to have been studied.
Claire O’Brien
[email protected]
0414 046 091
Attachment:
Photo from living room window

SUBMISSION -  SSD-42425537
Waverley College Redevelopment
 
16/11/24

My name is Tim Rossi of the Langlee Building which has entries, terraces and windows etc on Henrietta Street across the road from the existing Waverley College.

My wife and I are on the owners corporation with 6 others representing our 50 owners, who as a community body, have many concerns and object for the following reasons.

Construction Impacts
We are concerned about the impacts of construction including noise, vibration, dust and construction traffic including large trucks. There is no Construction Management Plan.
Impact on Trees
It is proposed to remove a number of mature trees on the site including tree 68 which is a mature fig tree. The College’s tree  report indicted that the significant fig tree  76 which is between the tennis courts and Henrietta Street will be retained , but I do not  see how this tree will survive the proposed excavation works (including stormwater works) in the  root zone of this tree.
Long term noise impacts
We are concerned that there will be additional noise from the additional traffic movements  and patrons from after hours use of the expanded facilities, together with use of the proposed outdoor roof terrace to building 1.
Visual Impact of Building 1
This building is higher and more bulky than any other building in Henrietta Street and has limited ability for canopy trees to screen it, especially given the removal of tree 68 and potential loss of tree 76 and the limited space on the plans.
Long term traffic and parking impacts
Additional students, staff and patrons of the after hours uses will lead to additional traffic congestion and demand for parking in the precinct. This is particularly the case with the proposal to change the staff carpark from entry only from Henrietta Street and exit via Birrell Street to entry and exit via Henrietta Street and close the Birrell Street exit. This carparkis used out of school hours by other patrons).
We are also concerned about the proposal to decrease the number of parking spaces in later stages of the development given that the amount of staff carparking at the moment is insufficient for the number of staff.

Tim Rossi

Tim Rossi
3201/40c Langlee Ave
Waverley 2024
[email protected]
0414942000

see attached submission

I have some objections

My major concerns are the project appears out of scale with the location and will significantly impact the street scape besides being high density in terms of the actual school site.
The proposed additional car parking with the attendant problems of adding to an already stretched road infrastructures during school drop off and pickup is problematic.
The proposed storm water plant fronting onto Henrietta St is hardly visually friendly to a narrow residential street.
Also there are concerns about the welfare of a number of old growth Fig Trees which will struggle to withstand the major incursion on their root system which would seem to be highly likely to occur.

1. The height, bulk and scale of the proposed science building, being tall and narrow and monolithic with minimum setback is out of character with the residential street-friendly nature of its Henrietta Street neighbours. Henrietta is a narrow street which is composed of predominantly small, terrace- style terrace houses and semis plus some apartments which are low-rise or importantly, set back from the street. While The Langlee is five levels, it is topped by a roof garden and is sympathetic to the streetscape with balconies complete with planter boxes and a flourishing green wall.
2.The proposed new building doesn't have any, or hardly any, setback from Henrietta Street which adds to its inappropriate bulk and scale.
3. The proposed stormwater drains adjacent to the tennis courts will be a "concrete jungle" eyesore taking the place of what is now a sloping grass hillock with small shrubs and a significant heritage fig tree. It is hard to imagine that this tree will survive these major works due to its established, extensive root system suffering trauma.
4.Narrow Henrietta Street is already a busy traffic throughfare with a two-way cycleway and the College's Junior School drop-off area; adding extra carparking with both a entry and exit in Henrietta Street will cause extra traffic congestion and the potential for accidents. Plus, by extending the carpark, this will make private vehicle use more attractive thus decreasing sustainable transport options.

The scale of this project is inappropriate for the location and will have substantial negative impacts on the community both during construction and in it's operation.

The scale of Waverley college is already inappropriate for the surrounding built environment and community, and the proposed development will only worsen that situation.

The streets around Waverly College are not designed to, and cannot, accommodate the existing volume of traffic accessing the school, let alone an expanded presence or the impact of large scale construction in the area. These are small suburban streets that cannot cope with the existing traffic. Any design or redevelopment of Waverley College should address that issue and relocate the school drop off area to operate exclusively at the Carrington Road side of the development, and provide dedicated space for drop off / pickup to reduce the impact on traffic.

The proposed development does not appropriately consider the impact of industrial-scale development activities occurring in a residential area over a decade-long time horizon. Executing the proposed development would have a substantial negative impact on the community, and there is no evidence that the proposed plans take account of that impact, with the burden of construction traffic and associated noise being pushed onto the community rather than the plans taking account of this. Much of the impact of this development will be forced onto the community rather than the school addressing this within it's footprint. The scale of the school is already inappropriate for the character and features of the surrounding buildings and community, and the proposed development would only worsem the situation.

The school seems focused only on dominating the area, taking every opportunity to acquire and demolish homes during a housing crisis, and expand it's footprint regardless of the community around it. The development should not proceed without substantial amendment to reduce the negative impact of the school on the local community and built environment.

They are proposing an additional level to the building directly next door to our premises 127 Birrell St. See the image below. This could cause privacy, noise, and shadowing impacts. see drawings attached
6 Storey new building proposed, should only be 4 storeys ; from Henrietta st and Birrell St, this is an imposing building.
I object to the destruction of housing on Henrietta st and Carrington road - these houses should be heritage listed, not demolished. It ruins the areas heritage streetscape and outlook, which is what Waverley is known for.
The college is being expanded to accommodate more students, which will cause further congestion in an already congested area.

I object to this project