Malek Fahd Islamic School Expansion

To Whom It May Concern,

I am writing to formally object to the proposed expansion of Malek Fahd Islamic School’s Beaumont Hills campus from 600 to 1,300 students. This expansion raises significant concerns related to traffic congestion, infrastructure strain, community cohesion, financial transparency, and local property values. Given the scale of this proposal, it is imperative that the council considers the substantial impact on local residents before making a decision.

1. Severe Traffic Congestion

The current traffic situation around the school is already unsustainable. The surrounding roads are single-lane in each direction, and what should be a 10-minute school drop-off or commute to work frequently extends to 45 minutes or longer. The proposal to more than double the student population will drastically increase vehicle traffic during peak times, exacerbating congestion and making daily commutes unmanageable for local residents and parents from other nearby schools.

While the proposal includes a car park with 147 spaces and a service road, this is unlikely to offset the impact of over 700 additional students, many of whom will be driven to school, given the lack of public transport options within North Kellyville and shuttle buses to and from local metro stations. Furthermore, increased traffic poses a significant safety risk to pedestrians and cyclists in the area, particularly young children.

2. Inadequate Infrastructure and Overuse of Community Resources

The Hills Shire’s infrastructure is not designed to support a school of this size as we’ve seen time and time again. Public transport options remain limited, and parking in and around the school is already a challenge, including trying to commute to other schools. The expansion will put additional strain on local parks, sporting fields, and other shared community resources, reducing access for local families who rely on these facilities. The long-term impact of increased demand on these spaces has not been adequately addressed in the proposal.

3. Lack of Justification for an Islamic School of This Size in the Hills Shire

The Hills Shire does not have a large Islamic population that would justify an Islamic school expansion of this magnitude. Additionally, the area is already served by Australian International Academy, another Islamic school located nearby. Given the availability of this alternative, the necessity of a second Islamic school expanding to 1,300 students within close proximity is questionable. The proposed expansion does not reflect the demographic or educational needs of the broader Hills community and may lead to an overconcentration of religiously specific schools in an area where demand does not justify it. Instead, invest in over populated public schools to support the growing population of North Kellyville, Rouse Hill and Beaumont Hills residents, including reputable high schools.

4. Potential Impact on Property Values

Significant expansions of institutional developments can negatively impact property values in the surrounding area. Increased traffic congestion, parking overflow into residential streets, and noise pollution are known factors that deter potential buyers. Many residents have invested in this area for its planned infrastructure and liveability, and the school’s expansion may undermine these qualities. Council must consider the broader economic impact of this project on the property market and local homeowners.

5. Financial Transparency and Governance Concerns

Malek Fahd Islamic School was initially funded through a $12 million gift from King Fahd of Saudi Arabia. In recent years, the school has faced financial scrutiny, leading to the revocation of federal funding due to concerns over financial management and governance. Given this history, it is essential to question whether the proposed $123 million expansion is financially sustainable and whether there has been sufficient oversight into the funding sources and long-term viability of the project. If past financial mismanagement issues remain unresolved, there is a risk that ratepayers may eventually bear the burden of supporting additional infrastructure demands without sufficient return on investment for the broader community.

6. Disruption to Nearby Schools and Residents

The increased congestion will not only affect local residents but also families attending other nearby schools, both public and private. The additional traffic will make school drop-offs and pick-ups more difficult for everyone, potentially disrupting zoning, public transport routes, and access to educational institutions that serve a more diverse student population. These concerns have not been adequately addressed in the school’s proposal.

7. Concerns Regarding Private Security Patrols

There have been reports of incidents involving security patrols linked to the school. While security is an understandable priority for any educational institution, the presence of privately operated patrols in residential areas raises questions about accountability, appropriate conduct, and the impact on local residents. Any expansion should be accompanied by a clear framework for how security measures will be managed to ensure they do not infringe on the rights or comfort of surrounding community members.

8. Impact on Beaumont Hills and North Kellyville Residents

The proposed expansion will significantly affect residents of Beaumont Hills and North Kellyville, areas already experiencing substantial traffic congestion due to existing infrastructure limitations. The local road network, characterized by funnel roads, is currently inadequate to handle the present traffic volume, leading to prolonged travel times and frustration among commuters. Adding over 700 additional students to the area will exacerbate these issues, making daily navigation increasingly challenging for residents.

Conclusion

The proposed expansion of Malek Fahd Islamic School presents serious concerns regarding traffic congestion, infrastructure capacity, property values, financial transparency, community cohesion, and the necessity of such a large Islamic school in the Hills Shire. The scale of the expansion is incompatible with the existing infrastructure in Beaumont Hills and North Kellyville, and the broader implications on ratepayers, residents, and local schools must be fully considered.

Without substantial, independently verified impact assessments and concrete plans to mitigate these risks, this development should not proceed. I urge the council to reject the proposal or, at a minimum, require a thorough review of the financials, traffic management plans, demographic demand for an Islamic school of this size, and community impact assessments before any further approvals are granted.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

I strongly object to the proposed expansion of the Islamic school due to two significant concerns that will directly impact the Beaumont Hills community.

Firstly, safety is a well-documented issue within the Islamic community. As residents of Beaumont Hills, we highly value the tranquillity and security of our neighbourhood, and any expansion of the school raises concerns about potential risks affecting our peaceful environment.

Secondly, the school’s location already contributes to significant traffic congestion, particularly at the roundabout where Withers Road and Mungerie Road intersect. An expansion would exacerbate these issues, causing further delays, safety hazards, and disruptions for local residents and commuters.

This proposal is not just a school expansion. The submission is for the build of a 3-storey mosque. There is nothing like it in the area. It will have a massive impact and cause significant disruptions on this quiet suburb, not just on school days and within school hours. The disruption with traffic of the school expanding to over 1300 students is going to increase the strain on throughput of cars that is already being seen in Beaumont Hills prior to this expansion. The visual impact of a 3 storey mosque is unprecedented and unfair for residents of various and multiple faiths to have a single religion so significantly imposed upon them in a quite neighbourhood where they have been living years, decades or some of them their whole lives. The land on which the school is built is zoned appropriately as R2 Low Density residential. The maximum allowable height is 10m, the proposed 21m prayer hall is a direct contradiction of this zoning. The zoning is in place to protect residents from exactly this kind of dominating structure. Already parents from Malek Fahd illegally double park in and around the traffic circle at Roy Dudley Reserve at student pick up time because the roads to not sufficient cater for the size of the school as it currently is. This traffic creates delays of up to 20 minutes sometimes to get in and out of a relatively small suburb. Expanding from 700 students to over 1300 is going to exacerbate and gridlock the Beaumont Hills suburb at school drop off and pick up times. Additionally, with the proposal being a Mosque, the impact of increased traffic will extend beyond school pick up and drop off times to whenever Mosque activities are taking place, eg: over the weekend and at night. This is grossly unfair to residents in the area.

I do not support this Malek Fahd Islamic School Expansion project. It will change our area significantly, and significantly impact our life. It already has a good school closely. If they want their kids to study in their culture background school only, let themselves teach at home. Please do not affect neighbourhoods' life style.

To Whom It May Concern,
Subject: Objection to the Proposed Expansion of Malek Fahd Islamic School (SSD-56264716)**
I am writing to formally object to the proposed expansion of Malek Fahd Islamic School, located at 20 Mungerie Road, Beaumont Hills (SSD-56264716). While I understand the importance of enhancing educational facilities, this proposal raises several significant concerns that warrant careful consideration.
1. Traffic Congestion and Road Safety
The roads surrounding the proposed development site, particularly Mungerie Road and its connecting streets, are already heavily congested during peak hours. The expansion will undoubtedly increase traffic volumes, as more students, staff, and visitors travel to and from the school. This will exacerbate existing traffic issues, increase commute times, and create safety risks for both pedestrians and motorists. Furthermore, the proposed parking facilities and access points are unlikely to fully mitigate these challenges, putting additional strain on local infrastructure.
2. Insufficient Infrastructure
Beaumont Hills' current infrastructure is not equipped to handle the scale of this proposed expansion. Public transport options and road capacity in the area are already stretched thin, and the influx of additional vehicles will only worsen these issues. Local residents will face increased travel disruptions, particularly during school hours, and the strain on community resources will rise significantly.
3. Impact on Residential Amenity
The expansion plan, including the construction of a multi-purpose hall, sports fields, and additional buildings, risks disrupting the peaceful residential environment of Beaumont Hills. Increased noise levels, light pollution, and extended hours of operation may negatively affect the quality of life for nearby residents, particularly those living closest to the site.
4. Alignment with Australian Values
The proposal to expand a school that primarily serves a single ethnic or religious community raises questions about whether it aligns with Australia’s commitment to inclusivity, multiculturalism, and shared values. It is important to evaluate whether the development fosters broader community integration or inadvertently contributes to social segmentation. Such considerations are crucial to ensuring that the expansion reflects and supports the values of unity and diversity that Australia upholds.
5. Environmental and Construction Impact
The proposed demolition, construction, and landscaping works will have an inevitable impact on the local environment. Increased dust, noise, and heavy vehicle activity during construction will disrupt the neighborhood and may harm local biodiversity. These factors need to be thoroughly assessed and mitigated before proceeding.
I look forward to being informed of any updates regarding this project.
Yours sincerely,

I STRONGLY object to this project. This is a lovely peaceful neighbourhood and the expansion of this school will greatly impact that. The increase in traffic will be immense and The Parkway is already VERY busy as it is. Secondly, we DO NOT need this school to expand for any reason. Not too far down the road in the north kellyville, the other islamic school is expanding and adding a car park. Now through their expansions we are suppose to be happy with being over run with a group of people whose beliefs DO NOT line up with our western culture. No. Jewish Australians who are a peaceful people are living in fear and with the expansion of this islamic school and others that will only increase.
Beaumont Hills is a small quiet suburb already surrounded by a few schools like Beaumont Hills Public School, Ironbark Ridge School, The Catholic School on Withers Road and Rouse Hill High School and ofcourse the islamic school. By allowing this expansion your department will be contributing and responsible for the degradation of our beautiful peaceful neighbourhood. Please DO NOT allow this expansion to go ahead. Keep our western culture strong by not giving opportunity for these building and expansion projects.
Kind regards,
An Australian Citizen who loves this Country and it's Culture

The peak hour commute / school traffic and car parking in the Beaumont Hills area is already very bad as it is now, the Malek Fahd Islamic School Expansion will make the already bad peak hours traffic horrendous. Our roads just can't cope with this expansion.
Another major concern I have is the Malek Fahd Islamic School Expansion (which is huge) is going to bring an influx of islamic-faith students / people to this area, which is going to change the sociodemographics of the current Beaumont Hills community.

I would like to make a submission on this large scale expansion project that is being planned in a close knit, small(er) suburb of Beaumont Hills.
Beaumont Hills had been a suburb blessed with multi culturalism where no single ethnicity or religious group had a dominant influence. We love the area and people been so open, warm, friendly and the human values.
Having a large expansion a school closely associated with one specific religion/ethnic group will clearly influence the demography of the suburb and the beautiful balance that it had through out.
This is because, invariably property that go up for sale will be bought predominantly by the Muslim community and over time the whole suburb and likely adjoining Rouse Hill suburb will be dominated by Muslims. (similar to Auburn, Lakemba etc)
Further there is a very large School already in North Kellyville, within a radius of 2 km or 4.3 km driving distance (Australian International Academy - https://www.aia.nsw.edu.au/) promoting Islamic faith. This school is also expanding rapidly.
This proposed development will most certainly increase the density of one ethnic group and will pose a dominance that would harm the balance that Beaumont Hills had since its inception.
Therefore, as much as I like providing learning opportunities to our next generation, due to the aforementioned downsides, I will be strongly objecting the project.
Kind Regards,
A resident in Rebellion Cct, Beaumont Hills

The submission has been removed from publication due to potentially defamatory content, however the Department in assessing and making any recommendations in relation to this State significant development application will take into consideration such of the submission that is of relevance.

Too crowded in the suburbs already, terrible traffic

Upon rain periods the playing fields accumulate a lot of free flowing water that cascade into an easement, which is unsuitable. Runoff and percolated water accumulate causing swampy ground and localised flooding into my property on occasions. Increased hard surface and soil extraction will only increase the flooding to residences that back onto the fields.
With the sodden conditions mosquitoes and similar are always abundant. ONLY during prolonged dry periods does the soil and swampy area dry.
Lights are always on during the night with the current buildings, they are annoyingly bright, resulting in a permanent closure of blinds and my personal liberty to open my windows.
Experience has led me not to travel by car at peak transit times anywhere near the school or main thoroughfare of Mungerie and Withers Roads. Local residents are penalised by the importation of out of area people who use this facility.
A condition with my employment is that I start latter in the day to avoid traffic as much as possible, and cannot work from home.
The topography projects and amplifies the level of noise from the school towards local residents which are located lower.
During strong wind gusts trees located on the property fall into our yards, pools and on solar roofs. Wind funnels though the property from upon high to lower catchments. Recent weather is not complimentary to complicated and cosmetic screening , this will just end up in residential areas clogging drains rooftops, downpipes, and persistent general rubbish which blows into our residences and street.
Residents purchased here to have downtime from work and not to have our weekends interrupted by weekend activities.
Demolition waste assuming Asbestos, dust and building detritus doesn't come with the obligation of purchasing a home to have a legacy of health concerns. 1300 students is over the top from current levels.

the area is already very congested with nearby high school and primary school. The traffic in peak hour is terrible. expansion of the school is going to cause more congestion for local residents trying to get to work and school.

Dear Mr. Gotsis,
I am formally objecting to the proposed expansion of Malek Fahd Islamic School on Mungerie Road due to the severe and unacceptable impacts it will have on our daily lives, property, and overall well- being. The scale of this development will significantly disrupt our ability to access our home freely, create substantial traffic congestion, and diminish our quality of life. Below, I outline the key areas of concern that highlight why this proposal is unsuitable for our residence at 38-44 Mungerie Road and the surrounding community. further details in the letter attached.
Regards Patricia Ellis

The traffic already bad

The traffic is too heavy during school zoom.

I am writing to formally object to the proposed redevelopment of Malek Fahd Islamic School in Beaumont Hills. As a resident in close proximity to the school, I am deeply concerned about the substantial impact this redevelopment will have on myself (and family), my neighbours, and the broader Beaumont Hills community. The proposed redevelopment is a massive $123m project, yet the estimated timeline for completion remains unknown. Large-scale construction of this magnitude will inevitably cause prolonged congestion, noise pollution, dust and debris, and general disturbances to residents, severely impacting our quality of life. Additionally, long-term construction will lead to an increase in heavy vehicle traffic, parking congestion, and road blockages, further exacerbating daily congestion for residents.
The Beaumont Hills area has already been significantly impacted by years of ongoing construction, including works along Samantha Riley Drive and the continued and ongoing development in the North Kellyville suburb. The addition of another long-term, large-scale redevelopment will only compound these issues, increasing traffic congestion, construction noise, and overall disruption to residents. The planned expansion will see the school’s capacity increase from 525 students to approximately 1,300 after already undergoing a recent capacity increase. Further expansion will bring a significant influx of students, parents, and staff into the area, placing an unsustainable strain on our already burdened roads and community amenities.
Despite the dramatic increase in student numbers and associated traffic, there are no proposed upgrades to the surrounding road infrastructure. Beaumont Hills is a suburban area with limited road capacity, and traffic congestion is already an issue, particularly during school drop-off and pick-up hours. The added volume of vehicles from Malek Fahd and its expanded student body will worsen congestion, increase travel times, and lead to higher risks of traffic accidents. Our community already experiences severe traffic disruptions due to the presence of four other schools within a 2-3 km radius (Rouse Hill High School, Our Lady of the Angels, Ironbark Ridge and Beaumont Hills Public School. The lack of road infrastructure improvements will create unsafe conditions for pedestrians, cyclists, and local drivers.
The proposed redevelopment includes multiple two-storey buildings, some of which will directly block sunlight to nearby homes. The construction of a three-storey building is particularly concerning, as there is currently no other three-storey buildings in the entire suburb, including our local shopping precinct. This is a drastic change to the visual landscape of our community and sets an unwelcome precedent for future high-density developments in what has traditionally been a low-rise suburban environment.
The construction and demolition of existing structures will contribute to noise pollution, dust, and potential damage to nearby properties. Additionally, the increase in student numbers will likely result in higher noise levels beyond school hours, further diminishing the peaceful residential nature of Beaumont Hills. It is important to note that there is already another Islamic school within a 3 km radius, providing an alternative for students seeking faith-based education. Furthermore, a substantial portion of Malek Fahd students do not reside in Beaumont Hills but travel from other local government areas (LGAs). This raises concerns about the necessity of such a significant expansion in our suburb when other educational options exist nearby.
As a long-standing member of the Beaumont Hills community, I urge the council to significantly modify the proposed redevelopment to better align with the needs and concerns of local residents. This proposal, as it stands, does not provide adequate infrastructure support, negatively impacts residential quality of life, and introduces an unwarranted precedent for high-density developments in our suburban area. I appreciate your time and consideration of these concerns and respectfully request that community objections be taken seriously in the final decision.

There has been terrible traffic here.

The way the submission proposal is written show everything is good and they have done the right thing in every way. Except they have not listened to to people that matter which are the direct neighbours and surrounding community.
I realise the school may need some updating and not anti updating/renovations, but the schools proposal is way above what I would call reasonable (approx. $126 Millions dollars) in a suburban area, and who is expect to live under construction for years. The Construction Dust, Asbestos, Trucks, Excavating Machines, Noise and starting at 7:00am (no thank you)
The height of the Mosque/prayer hall is listed as 21m tall which is above the height restriction. Total disregard for council laws.
The streets are already painfully overcrowded as it is. In just 10 years since we moved in I used to be able to exit my area with no problems at all, now it takes me 5 minutes to turn right (or more) to exit Guardian on to Mungerie Rd, the cars just keep coming and will not let me in. The streets are simply not large enough as it is.
At the moment I have never had a flood to my backyard, not even in the heaviest downpour, I am worried about the potential risk of these works causing a flood to my backyard, which is directly behind the soccer playing and what will happen to my fence.
Cars are parking illegally on Brampton Rd and Mungerie Rd at peak times and this is at a level of 525 student, imagine 1,300. No no no.
Why is Malek Fahd thinking about expansion to an unsustainable level of 1,300 students when the Islamic International Academy on Sam Riley is currently already under expansion, what is the upgraded capacity of that school? Where will all these students coming from, its certainly not from this suburb or surrounding suburbs.
The cutting down of old growth trees, the poor birds will have nowhere to sleep, no, no, no.
Does the school intend to have calls to prayer and a school bell? We live in a very quiet place, noise travels, I can hear the sports field on the corner of Withers Rd and Commercial Rd from my yard.
Please, please do not let this over expansion go ahead, we don't want it, we don't need it, we can't live with it.

Regards
Robert Croce and family

I am writing to formally object to the proposed expansion of Malek Fahd Beaumont Hills as outlined in Development Application (SSD-56264716). While I appreciate the role the school plays in our community, I believe the scale of this expansion will have significant and detrimental effects on the surrounding residential neighbourhood.

TRAFFIC AND PARKING: The proposed increase of nearly 1,000 students (potentially 600 additional families) will drastically exacerbate existing congestion. With only one access road to the school, traffic during peak drop-off and pick-up times is already problematic, creating safety concerns for pedestrians and residents. The expansion will lead to even more severe gridlock and further strain on limited street parking, which is already insufficient.

VISUAL IMPACT: The planned buildings significantly exceed the height of surrounding homes, disrupting the visual character of our neighbourhood. The proposed structures will overshadow existing residences and alter the community’s aesthetic appeal, diminishing our local charm and cohesiveness.

NOISE AND OUT-OF-HOURS ACTIVITY: The school’s intention to make its expanded facilities available outside of school hours will result in increased noise levels and additional traffic well beyond the regular school schedule. This will impact residents’ quiet enjoyment of their homes, particularly during evenings and weekends.

PROPERTY VALUES: The increased congestion, noise, and visual disruption caused by this large-scale development will likely have a detrimental effect on surrounding property values. Homeowners invested in this area for its peaceful residential nature, which will be fundamentally altered by this expansion.

While I support education and community growth, I urge the Council to reconsider the scale of this expansion and its impact on local residents. Alternative solutions, such as improved traffic management plans to Mungerie Road and all the roads leading there which will also be impacted, limiting the expansion’s footprint, and restricting out-of-hours facility use, should be explored to balance the needs of both the school and the existing community.

I request that my concerns be considered in the assessment of this application and that the voices of local residents be prioritized in decision-making.