Concept Proposal and Stage 1 application for a new independent school in North Sydney

North Sydney cannot sustain yet another major school. This area of North Sydney already contains in close proximity Monte Sant’Angelo Mercy College, Wenona, St Mary’s, Marist North Shore College and North Sydney Demonstration School. Another large school with 1700 students and staff would massively intensify local traffic and amenity issues. In addition, “infill” development in the middle of a high-density residential area. In combination the proposal is highly inappropriate and will clearly compromise the amenity of all surrounding residents in hundreds of apartments across many issues.

1. Current Traffic
- this area is already in gridlock at peak hours and school times – the proposal does not address this fact in a proper manner with poor “modelling” which bears no relationship to reality which only local residents are aware of
- existing local roads simply cannot support any additional traffic
- ingress/egress from the area is already difficult at McLaren, Ridge and Miller exits
- one way lane access for the school would be a disaster
- difficult first responder access and/or emergency egress
- the constant spillover of queueing school cars into Walker and Miller Streets form McLaren Street would lock traffic in the entire for extended periods of time
- the major limitations of the Walker/Berry Street intersection as a major egress point is not properly factored
- The traffic clash with Wenona students, staff and parents is also not properly or correctly addressed
- Harnett Street is a narrow dead-end and entry and exit will compete with other driveways into MacLaren Street including the driveways for the massive residential development at 168 Walker and The Miller Hotel which are both opposite. Footpaths are narrow, do not allow 2 students abreast and would be highly dangerous for the students not only at peak times but also at lunch and break times, let alone the 102 bike spaces proposed
- buses in the vicinity are already over-full and not stopping as they have already picked up passengers in the North Sydney CBD
- footpaths are already choked with students from the major schools outlined together with CBD and resident users
- there is no parking available in the area to support this proposal
- the area cannot support the additional traffic generated by the required trades, services and waste collection

2. Future Traffic
- pressure from other developments in the area have not been fully and properly defined or taken into account
- the new Aqualand development at 168 Walker Street has its only access from McLaren Street directly opposite the proposed school – 300-plus vehicles – so that two opposing driveways will be competing for egress into McLaren Street which itself will be at the mercy of Miller and Walker Street traffic even allowing entry
- 45 McLaren Street on the corner of Walker is proposing 100-plus vehicles magnifying the above issue
- Potential development in Hampden Street – 240-plus vehicles – ditto
- the approved residential development (circa 18 storeys) approved for 50 McLaren
- New ultra-tall buildings under construction in Walker Street
- Western Harbour Tunnel – actual additional impacts are unclear and not properly addressed
- Warringah Freeway Upgrade – additional impacts are unclear and not properly addressed

3. Noise and noxious fumes from stationary cars will combine to make this proposal unpleasant and unhealthy for students, staff and residents alike

4. Another major residential development in close proximity to this site which had very similar issues has been forced into the Land and Environment Court due to the unacceptable very similar impacts to this proposal

5. Physical changes to the heritage-listed building, including the change of use away from an office building, affect the heritage status of the building and require proper sign-off from heritage authorities as well as the original architect company.

DRAFT Response to EIS

The EIS Report and appendices in general is self-serving and either ignores or disregards proper reference to the concerns of the local community. It does not define or respond to legitimate objections. The report is a box-ticking exercise prepared by outside “consultants” for the proponent, which explains why the conclusion is falsely all pro-development.

Appendix J - Engagement Outcomes Report states the major issues but does absolutely nothing with them, leading to a very poor and incorrect conclusion
Appendix L – Traffic Report is self-serving, contains amateur modelling and fails to grasp the full extent of a very major traffic problem
Appendix O - Operational Traffic Management Plan is simplistic and does not cover the most basic of traffic issues
Appendix R – Noise impact Assessment is self-serving and poorly constructed
Appendix Z – Social Impact Assessment is self-serving and glosses over the real issues

Conclusion
Independent and factual reports are required in order for decision-makers to have the correct information before approving a white elephant such as this proposal which is the epitome of a square peg into a round hole. The community consultation undertaken does not reflect the true scope of the cumulative impacts on the local neighbourhood. Ethos Urban have conducted other surveys in this neighbourhood, and should be well aware of the real issues as outlined. Accordingly trust with them as a bona fide provider of proper analysis is at a very low level. There is no wisdom in placing a school with 1500 plus students into an office building which is incapable of providing the necessary health, safety and proper nurturing environment necessary in modern education. There is still time for Reddam House to reassess this proposal given its many deficiencies. The proposal is not fair on its own students, parents and staff, and residents have a right to the quiet enjoyment of their properties. We urge that this application in its present form and location not be approved by the Minister for Planning and that public hearings be held so that the Minister and his Department can hear first-hand the precise concerns of the surrounding community.

There is a need for high quality education, and Reddam House provides this.

April 24th, 2023
Proposed School at 41 McLaren Street
SSD-46014456
Goodday!
I own unit 5 in 185 Walker Street, North Sydney, NSW 2060 and I am in strong opposition to the proposed school in 41 McLaren Street, right opposite my building.

My biggest concern is the traffic caused by parents dropping off and picking up their offspring.
The entire area is already chocker-blocked at peak hours and I cannot imagine any proper modelling of the traffic situation for this part of North Sydney that would not show that any additional traffic would lead to a complete standstill in the mornings and afternoons.

168 Walker is under development and has its only access from McLaren Street, directly opposite the proposed school – please watch what this additional traffic will do to the area and then think again by adding school traffic on top of that.

Also how do you think any emergency vehicles would get through in case of a fire, accident or smby having a heart attack (probably caused by road rage due to traffic jams)?

My second concern is the noise. Caused by the additional traffic of course and then don't forget the
- Western Harbour Tunnel – actual additional impacts are unclear and not properly addressed
- Warringah Freeway Upgrade – additional impacts are unclear and not properly addressed. Also: noise gets deflected from tall buildings, the racket is going to be unbearable for the locals.
Yours sincerely,
Barbara Bierach
5/185 Walker Street, North Sydney, NSW 2060
[email protected]

It is highly inappropriate to consider a large school as an “infill” development in the middle of a high-density residential area. It will clearly compromise the amenity of all surrounding residents in hundreds of apartments.

1. Traffic
- already in gridlock at peak hours and school times – the proposal does not address this fact except with poor “modelling”
- existing local roads cannot support any additional traffic, indeed the roads are very dangerous with considerable wear, blocked view, and congestion
- ingress/egress from the area is already difficult
- one way lane access for the school would create further traffic blocks, impede pedestrian use and be dangerous for elderly and children already using the area
- difficult first responder access and/or emergency egress. We have experienced this already with considerable issues for fire trucks
- the constant spillover of queueing school cars into Walker and Miller Streets form McLaren Street would lock traffic in the entire area not to mention stationary cars under the school building causing noxious fumes for students

Future traffic pressure from other developments in the area have not been fully and properly defined or taken into account
- New Aqualand development at 168 Walker Street has its only access from McLaren Street directly opposite the proposed school – 300-plus vehicles – so that two opposing driveways will be competing for egress into McLaren Street which itself will be at the mercy of Miller and Walker Street traffic allowing entry
- 45 McLaren Street on the corner of Walker is proposing 100-plus vehicles magnifying the above issue
- Potential development in Hampden Street – 240-plus vehicles - ditto
- Western Harbour Tunnel – actual additional impacts are unclear and not properly addressed
- Warringah Freeway Upgrade – additional impacts are unclear and not properly addressed

2. Noise, both direct and deflected from tall buildings, would be a constant imposition on the peace of local residents

3. Another major residential development in close proximity to this site with very similar issues has been forced into the Land and Environment Court due to very similar impacts

4. Physical changes to the heritage-listed building, as well as changing the use away from “office building”, affect the heritage status of the building and require proper sign-off from heritage authorities as well as the original architect company.

DRAFT Response to EIS

ignore the concerns of the neighbouring community

The EIS Report in general is self-serving and either ignores or disregards proper reference to the local community. It does not define or respond to legitimate objections. The report is a box-ticking exercise prepared by outside “consultants” for the proponent, which explains why the conclusion is falsely all pro-development.

Appendix J - Engagement Outcomes Report states the major issues but does absolutely nothing with them, leading to a very poor and incorrect conclusion
Appendix L – Traffic Report is self-serving, contains amateur modelling and fails to grasp the full extent of a very major traffic problem
Appendix O - Operational Traffic Management Plan is simplistic and does not cover the most basic of traffic issues
Appendix R – Noise impact Assessment is self-serving and poorly constructed
Appendix Z – Social Impact Assessment is self-serving and glosses over the real issues

I like and support this project !!!!
Reddam House is an amazing school that has enriched my children’s academic journey. We are looking forward to seeing another Reddam being build soon. We hope the project goes ahead.

Reddam is an excellent school offering the very best education for our children, focusing on academic excellence, sports, music, drama, technology and more. They have a wonderful campus and community in Woollahra, and I have many friends living in North Sydney who would welcome the opportunity to attend a Reddam school campus closer to their home. North Sydney and North Shore families would benefit greatly from a Reddam school in their local area.

I am writing in support of this proposal;
1. Reddam House is well-known in Sydney for its academic excellence, as well as sport, drama, dance, music and arts program, delivered in a secular, co-educational and nurturing environment.

2. Reddam's goal has always been to provide the best possible education for their students and their continued academic success. This has seen demand surge to five times the number of students that they are able to accept for Year 7 in 2024 at the existing Woollahra campus. There are also a large number on their waiting list across the school who live in the North Shore and would relish the opportunity to get their children into a Reddam school closer to home.

3. By developing a new campus in North Sydney, the community will greatly benefit in many ways:

a. There is great demand on the North Shore for further, modern schooling options. This new campus will provide the community with state-of-the-art facilities, modern resources, and experienced teachers, and offer a diverse and comprehensive curriculum that prepares students for the challenges of the 21st century.

b. Reddam would protect this unique heritage site and would embrace the building's history as they give it a new worthwhile purpose.

c. The development will help provide accessible education as the new Victoria Cross Metro Station entry will be a 50m walk from the site when the Metro opens in 2024.

d. The approval will allow the building to be repurposed as a new independent school with a maximum capacity of 1,560 students.
I firmly believe that a new campus will provide parents in the local area, particularly considering the location of the existing Reddam Early Learning Schools in St Leonards and Lindfield, with more options for their children's education, giving them the flexibility to choose a school that aligns with their values and educational goals.

e. Reddam recognises that building a new school is a significant undertaking, and is always committed to working closely with parents, the local community, and state and local government to ensure any undertaking is a success.

f. If approved, this would create a vibrant and inclusive educational institution that will benefit children and our greater community.

Thank you,
Nicky Golan
Reddam Parent

PLEASE SEE ATTACHED

This kind of development is excellent for the long term plans for the area, North Sydney CBD should facilitate the current community needs, growing families that don’t want to rely on a personal vehicle can live here. With access to schools, daycare, residence, and office life all within walking distance. This kind of environment, with access to all these lifestyle facilities makes a value added proposition for the community.
To be honest with this kind of economy we should be thankful that this space is allocated to education and not commercial enterprise, for which there is ample space in other areas of North Sydney CBD. After seeing other objections it feels like old people with too much time just want to object to everything because it’s too noisy.

It is highly inappropriate to consider a large school as an “infill” development in the middle of a high-density residential area. It will clearly compromise the amenity of all surrounding residents in hundreds of apartments.
1. Traffic
- already in gridlock at peak hours and school times – the proposal does not address this fact except with poor “modelling”
- existing local roads cannot support any additional traffic
- ingress/egress from the area is already difficult
- one way lane access for the school would be a disaster
- difficult first responder access and/or emergency egress
- the constant spillover of queueing school cars into Walker and Miller Streets from McLaren Street would lock traffic in the entire area not to mention stationary cars under the school building causing noxious fumes for students
2. Future traffic pressure from other developments in the area have not been fully and properly defined or taken into account
- New Aqualand development at 168 Walker Street has its only access from McLaren Street directly opposite the proposed school – 300-plus vehicles – so that two opposing driveways will be competing for egress into McLaren Street which itself will be at the mercy of Miller and Walker Street traffic allowing entry
- 45 McLaren Street on the corner of Walker is proposing 100-plus vehicles magnifying the above issue
- Potential development in Hampden Street – 240-plus vehicles - ditto
- Western Harbour Tunnel – actual additional impacts are unclear and not properly addressed
- Warringah Freeway Upgrade – additional impacts are unclear and not properly addressed
3. Noise, both direct and deflected from tall buildings, would be a constant imposition on the peace of local residents
4. Another major residential development in close proximity to this site with very similar issues has been forced into the Land and Environment Court due to very similar impacts
5. Physical changes to the heritage-listed building, as well as changing the use away from “office building”, affect the heritage status of the building and require proper sign-off from heritage authorities as well as the original architect company.

Hi,

I rent in 138 Walker street and my bedroom is above Harnett Street. Having the entrance to the school drop off in Harnett street, directly opposite my bedroom, will be a nightmare. I can foresee a lot of cars avoiding using the drop off and driving down the bottom of harnett street and turning around and creating a lot of noise in the morning and afternoons. This will likely reduce the amount of sleep I get and reduce my quality of life.

In addition to the noise from the drop-off, the constant noise that is generated from a school will erode my quality of work life. Covid has resulted in many people working from home and hearing the constant noise that emits from a school during my work week will reduce my productivity at work. Hence, my work life will be eroded and my overall quality of life will be eroded.

I have tolerated the Aura building noise for the last 2 years and the thought of a new construction project that will be even closer to the building, is incredibly depressing.

To make matters worse, we are in a rental crisis and my landlord is squeezing me for every penny. My rent has gone up significantly and now there is a real possibility of my quality of life worsening. How is that fair? I am paying substantially more for a worse living environment.

The weekday morning traffic generated by existing school drop offs would be exacerbated by the proposal to such an extent to cause traffic gridlock on McLaren St, Walker St and Ridge St.
The report by Ethos Urban is entirely misleading regarding alternative proposals for the site, and hence in its current form could not be relied upon as a basis for making a decision to approve the proposal for the site.