Minarah College

Submission received on 28 Oct 2024.

The roads, kerbs, gutters and lighting arent suitable for the size of the project

I object to the proposal of building a school, Minarah College, at 268 and 278 Catherine Fields Road, Catherine Fields. The idea of any educational facility at this particular location is not of any benefit to this rural community and the site is not suitable for development a this point in time. The infrastructure for this development is not presently in place and won’t be in the foreseeable future to handle a development of this size and impact to the area.
I am concerned and would like to raise the following concerns for submission :
Catherine Fields has not been identified as being a priority within the South West Growth area, until this happens no significant development should happen in this area. Council has already commented on this, “The site is an unsewered rural property located on a rural road with no shoulder, formed kerb and gutter, footpath, lighting or piped underground stormwater.”
• The Catherine Field area in general has limited sewerage or wastewater capacity in both the pipes and the sewerage treatment plants. I believe that the ‘Overland Flow Assessment Report’ does not meet the requirements of the SEARs report to “Provide an Integrated Water Management Plan for the development that avoids adverse impacts on any downstream properties”. This ‘Overland Flow Assessment’ states that there will be 525mm diversion pipes installed to capture and redivert the upstream overland flows to Catherine Fields Road, this may prevent flooding of the site of the school but will allow the water to flow much faster and cause major flooding to neighbours downstream from the school. This assessment has not offered any solutions to properties downstream or ways of avoiding adverse impacts on these properties, mostly the proposed plans impact these properties more.
The dates that the property was inspected was not during the recent heavier rainfall period that Catherine Fields have had lately. Recently during the heavy rainfall days our roads and storm water pipes in the area were flooded, to the extent where some roads were unable to safely drive on. If they had conducted their inspections during these days their data and statistics would be more correct. I believe that this report is not accurate and does not represent complete, accurate or true data of the impact on the area. Their response to if the school starts flooding is to walk the children to the local community hall, this hall doesn’t cater for the amount of students and the road doesn’t cater for walking students safely.

• I also don’t believe that the SEARs requirement of “Traffic, Transport and Accessibility” has been met as the traffic survey was conducted during the pandemic when most people were working from home or at home more often. They even admit that due to the pandemic the survey data and results doesn’t reflect the ‘completeness or accuracy’ of the EIS. Catherine Fields is currently a rural area without the roads or infrastructure to support the traffic that this proposed school will bring into the area. The survey indicates that 80%-90% of students will be travelling to and from school in private vehicles and not using public transport, 80% of the adjusted 900 projected students is 810 students being dropped off. This traffic will be in two peak times of the day, in the morning and the afternoon. Only a small amount of ‘kiss and drop’ spaces have been allocated in the proposal stating that this is sufficient. The proposal doesn’t indicate how the potential traffic queues on Catherine Fields Road waiting to enter the school and drive through the ‘kiss and drop’ zone and exit the school will be directed neither does it refer to alternate traffic arrangements if there is an accident or traffic congestion. It doesn’t appear that there is sufficient parking for all staff, students as well as the parents of the school, Catherine Field Road can not cater for parking on the sides of the road, where will the parents park for school events.
• This proposal does not indicate or explain the safety concerns of the community or the children. There will be increased trucks during construction and ongoing afterwards for the further planned stages of the school this will increase traffic to an already busy road where the current infrastructure is not equipped to handle this increased traffic. Our roads currently have large potholes that the council can’t keep up to date with let alone the extra road works required with increased traffic during construction and after the school has opened. This is still a rural area where people are walking, riding push bikes, walking dogs or riding horses without footpaths or cycleways for their safety if this proposal goes ahead.
• This proposal refers to a modern educations facility that could benefit the area however it also states that most children will be travelling from outside the Catherine Fields area therefore it doesn’t indicate a clear benefit to the community.
• The proposed school operation hours indicate that they are going to be open from 7.00am till 10.00pm from Monday to Friday, including the operating of before and after school care, the school day itself, the primary hall and the use of the sports fields till 9.00pm. The school will also be operating on the weekend from 9.00am to 9.00pm using the multipurpose hall and the sports fields. I don’t see how these operating hours will have minimal disturbance to the surrounding residential properties. Catherine Field is a peaceful rural town and these operating hours indicate that there will be not only increased traffic but also increased noise for neighbour and residents of this area.

Please consider the above points of my concern and submission in opposing the building of Minarah college or any school in that position in Catherine Fields. The proposal states that this school can operate with minimal disturbance to the surrounding residential properties however the evidence does not indicate this.
I object to the proposed building of this K-12 school at this point in time as the infrastructure clearly isn’t there to handle this
I have not made any reportable political donations.
Kind Regards
Connie Strassmeir

To whom it may concern,

I would like to express my objection to the proposed K-12 school in Catherine Field referred to as Minarah College. As a resident of the area for over 20 years, I have a strong understanding of the various reasons why this proposed project should not proceed, including but not limited to:
- incompatible zoning:
- if the area has insufficient services available and is not ready for residential subdivision that how can it be ready for such a large project which would have over 1000 individuals attending Catherine Field every day. This is worsened by their intention to operate the hall and fields every weekend and till late at night.
- The project also does not align with the objectives of RU4 primary production small lots.
- They will not be paying contributions as every other developer is expected to, therefore substantially expending local resources while not contributing at all to the improvement of them.
- Similar projects in rural areas such as Bellfield College in Rossmore and Unity Grammar in Austral show the negative impacts that they have upon local resources and the significant time it takes for any improvements to be shown, if any are made. This can also have negative impacts on the success of town planning and future subdivision.
- Traffic will be a major concern. The roads are currently in horrible condition and can barely handle the pressure of current traffic levels, let alone once they increase the number of individuals attending the Catherine Field area by 40%. They won’t be making any contributions to improve this.
- There are no footpaths, limited public transport available, a major t-section and dangerous bend in the road nearby, pot holes everywhere, and speeding and numerous trucks driving through is commonplace. Yet they want to build a school in this spot?
- Only 4.8% of the Camden council population in the 2021 census identified their religious affiliation as Islam and Catherine Field has a considerable ageing population, implying considerable out-of-area attendees of the school.
- Public schools that cater to all students and that do not divide children based on their socioeconomic status or religion are needed — education for all that encourages togetherness and inclusion for all. Use state funding on a public school, no more private schools that reinforce the idea of division and superiority.
- The local wildlife are negatively impacted by the increase in traffic.
- There are insufficient sewerage and telecommunication resources available, impacting nearby residents.
- Flooding is prevalent. This project will see considerable rainwater shifted onto neighbouring properties. Their plan of either keeping students on site in the case of flooding or having them walk on footpath-less roads down to the small Catherine Field hall are inappropriate.
If you deem this site as ready for a development of this scale, all whilst they do not pay development contributions to the LGA, then you are setting a clear precedent — why then should property owners not be able to develop their equally unprepared land for residential subdivisions for which they should pay no contributions for too?

I object to the project of Minarah College. Please see the reasons for my objection below.

As a resident of Catherine Field for more than 20 years, I object to the proposed Minarah College at 268-278 Catherine Field Rd, Catherine Field.
I have reviewed and acknowledged the amended plans and documents concerning this development and so want to address my reasons for my decision.

*The proposed development is not in keeping with the existing character of the local area. The area is a rural/semi- rural part of Catherine Field.

*The land use zoning for this site is RU4 Primary Production so how is a school considered 'primary production'. How can the zoning be changed for one proposal and not others in the Catherine Field area. Without a change of the area to residential zoning (nothing in the near future) why is there a need for a school in Catherine Field.

*Recent Flood Mapping shows the proposed site is not suitable for development unless major storm water and sewer works are completed. The Flood Mapping report states .."The flood risk at the site consists of overland flow at the site and the potential of isolation in relatively frequent events, even after the proposed drainage works, as areas to the east and west are subject to flooding from South Creek and Rileys Creek".

*The road access in Catherine Field is really only 3 local roads that have for as long as I have lived in the area been in poor condition and constantly needing temporary patch up repairs by Camden Council. They are extremely narrow, poorly line marked, if at all, have no shoulder, no kerb and gutter, no footpaths, no cycleways, dangerous sharp bends with no barrier protection for resident's homes and in times of heavy rain most of the roads are flooded and inaccessible. Especially the section of Catherine Field Road the site of the proposed development.

*The area has little or no street lighting making visibility at night dangerous particularly during times of heavy rain and fog.

*Traffic flow has increased substantially since the re-opening of the 'temporary road' on to Springfield Road from Oran Park. Morning and afternoon peaks are increasingly noisy and busy with many vehicles using this as a short cut to Bringelly Road and Leppington station. Increased numbers of cars, buses, large trucks and semi-trailers, many travelling above the speed limit, use Catherine Field local roads especially Catherine Field and Springfield Rd. Many vehicles still travel at high speed regardless of the new 60km/hr signage so walking, cycling or even parking on the roads is dangerous.

*In the last 18months there have been 3 major accidents on Springfield Road alone that I am aware of. All of them due to high speed. One of them being a fatality in front of my property. The next week on 2 separate occasions I witnessed vehicles losing control at speed and skidding in to neighbour's properties. This has also ocurred many times in front of my own property. Since I have been living in Catherine Field I know of other accidents on Catherine Field Road including a fatality. Most residents of Catherine Field don't walk or cycle on the roads out of concern for their own safety.

*Extra traffic generated by such a large development would be a major concern to all.

*Vehicles queueing to pick up and drop off students would cause traffic congestion on Catherine Field Road. This road is too narrow and unfit for increased traffic.
*Traffic congestion trying to access the proposed site would mean vehicles idling, whilst waiting to pick up and drop off students, emitting exhaust fumes that are detrimental to the surrounding neighbours.

*General school noise is an issue for the local area including regular school bells and announcements over the outside PA systems. Especially affecting neighbours adjoining the proposed development.
*Neighbouring properties will lose their privacy and peace.

*Properties located opposite the proposed site would definitely incur flooding by storm water and septic overflow onto their land. It is unfair to allow that to happen to residents who have built and resided opposite the site unaware their homes would be compromised. Septic runoff and storm water overflow is already a major problem for most residents of Catherine Field.
*What happens in times of heavy rain when the septic system of such a large development will be affected by water ingress and overflow into the natural water course ie. South Creek causing cross contamination?

*In times of heavy rain there are flooded roads. Especially bad is the section of road in front of the proposed school. Eventually the flooding of South Creek occurs, which borders the rear of my property and many others opposite the proposed site. With such a large development having multiple roof tops and large concreted areas the excess rainwater has no way of being absorbed by the land. This has to compound the water run off problem.

*The removal of trees is an issue that is of concern being that some of this vegetation is considered 'protected' environmentally. No trees in a 'green belt area' have previously been able to be removed for any reason.

For these reasons I believe the proposed development of Minarah College is unsuitable for Catherine Field and will have a substantial negative impact on our local community.

Therefore I oppose the development.

The roads aren’t capable of the traffic. Why not build in the industrial area?

Director, Social and Infrastructure Assessments
Planning and Assessment
Department of Planning and Environment
Locked Bag 5022
Parramatta, NSW, 2124
Attention: Miss/Mrs Ingrid Zhu (& Karen Harragon)

September 28th 2024

Application Number: SSD-30759158 - Minarah College
Proposed Location: 268 & 278 Catherine Field Road, Catherine Field NSW 2557

I OBJECT to the proposed Minarah College for many the many reasons as stated in my prior response, and in short the fact that this development does not meet with the best interest of the local community, and continues to be base on incomplete or inaccurate reporting as to the benefits and value such a development delivers to the community. Further the submission seemingly skips over pre-existing and commissioned reports by other authorities clearly confirming such a development is in appropriate and / or cannot be support given the lack of critical infrastructure in the area. Given all details as reviewed the only single logical conclusion I have been able to reach is: the development Does Not meet with the best interest of the community, local council OR current state planning SWGR intentions for a RU4 rural zoned area i.e.:
1. It does not provide any significant benefits to the local community and its residents as many of the students are noted as coming “out of area” AND the developer has no obligation to contribute financially to the development of the many local critical infrastructure services need to support the development.
2. Maintain the current safe rural environment as it exists, further, it appears this size development introduces significant safety and health risks and seemingly ignores it’s “Duty of Care” to the local community, public and environment.
3. Mitigate known development risks of this type and magnitude when introduced into a “rural area” lacking all the critical infrastructure services necessary to support it.
4. If the development itself, were it to go ahead, in my opinion expose the local community and students to many new unacceptable health and safety risks.

NOTE: Details specific to above 4 key points and reference to incomplete or overlooked details are as contained within the attached document and subsequent 5 pages.

Thanking you in advance for your consideration of the concerns as raised, and I look forward to your reply in having all the noted concerns, issues and unacceptable risks satisfactorily and thoroughly addressed.

Since the developers will not be paying section s7.11 and s7.12 contributions or possibly state levies that means us rate payers will be burdened once again for the increased upkeep and redevelopment of roads that lead to MINARAH college. The developers will only be obliged to upgrade the section of Catherine Field road in front of the school only and in fact make it more dangerous and create a bottleneck by the addition of a traffic island that will prevent south bound traffic from passing overflow cars from the Kiss and Drop zone inside the school onto Catherine Field road. The council already has difficulty
maintaining the current roads (namely Catherine Fields and Chisholm roads) in a timely manner. The money required for maintenance comes from us and then adding further costs to us rate payers to upgrade and then maintain these road upgrades due to the school is unacceptable especially in a cost of living crisis. Us residents on rural parcels of 1 to 10 acres have seen our rates increasing over a long period of time at a rate way above inflation. The school makes it more likely that Council will then increase our rates to subsidise those other Camden Rate payers on smaller lots for the necessary infrastructure and road upgrades for the school. Because there seems to be no State Infrastructure Contributions for the State Government this development unnecessarily burdens ratepayers.

The school is not in keeping with the current rural RU4 nature of our town.

I’ve seen estimates of 35% commercial enterprises, that is hiring out of the hall and sports field till around 9pm. The noise generated will not be insignificant from the hall and noise cancellation devices proposed will not I believe abate it enough. Also mentioned were buses parked onsite like a depot. While not a problem for traffic etc it still defies the LEP and the section 10.7.2 currently in the area.

I have also seen submissions from Green Valley residents in favour of the school based on the fact that the new development will enhance the provision of faith based education in the state and most importantly for the Green Valley Islamic college which is at capacity. The overflow will then go to the MINARAH College. The students bussed in. Why do the residents outside the area get a say and can force a school that nobody wants in our area and make us pay for the infrastructure upgrades required.

The DA also has conflicting numbers of staff (full time and casual etc) and the car parking required for them. The numbers of staff quoted to cater for a school this size in the DA is very low when compared to comparable student populations elsewhere. Are the developers masking the numbers of staff that will truly be required?

If we must have this school and we should not as the many reasons already explained by me and other rate payers, it makes more sense to develop it WHEN the Catherine Field North SWGA is released. Then staged development and increased residents and developers will make s7.11/s7.12 contributions and ongoing Council rates to help provide the ongoing funds necessary for the infrastructure and road upgrades.

Kind regards Alex Dimech

I am writing to express my concerns regarding the proposed development in the Camden area. This project appears to be in stark contrast to Camden Council's Environment Plan 48, issued on December 28, 2001. Specifically, I fear that it fails to maintain the agricultural productivity essential for future developments, while also neglecting the environmental heritage significance of Camden’s rural land.

The scale of this development threatens to disrupt the rural atmosphere, likely becoming an eyesore that clashes with the existing landscape. Furthermore, the current infrastructure is insufficient to support such extensive growth, imposing significant costs on Camden Council for necessary upgrades to roads and facilities.

I am particularly alarmed by the potential increase in waste and sewerage issues, as Catherine Field lacks connections to town sewerage. In instances of flooding, accumulated waste could pose serious health risks to our community. Additionally, this development is likely to exacerbate runoff water problems and heighten flood risks.

Concerns extend to the anticipated impact on community dynamics, including traffic congestion, street parking issues, and the introduction of a mosque, which could lead to further disruptions. Many long-time residents, particularly the elderly, cherish the quiet surroundings of our community.

I urge you to reconsider this development in light of these significant concerns.

i oppose

based on my concerns of the road conditions and flooding I do not think Catherine Field has the infrastructure to support Minarah college at this time.

To whom it may concern,
I object to the Minarah College project planned for 268-278 Catherine Field rd Catherine Field. I am a long term resident of Catherine Field and object to such a large scale proposal for the following reasons:
1. Catherine Field is a rural/semi-rural area that has not been zoned for development of any kind and is unlikely to be in the near future. There are no other development of this nature in this area
2. We have no sewer, natural gas, connected storm water disposal, adequate street lighting, foot paths, cycle ways, kerb and gutter or roads suitable for any increase in traffic flow.
3.the roads in Catherine Field are in a poor amd deteriorating condition that frequently get temporary repairs that do not sustain the regular traffic using the roads now. The roads in Catherine Field are narrow, single laned, poorly marked amd are dangerous due to their condition and the fact that no roads in this area have a shoulder.
4. Other than the condition of the roads the other issue is regular flooding and/or water over the road disguising dangerously large pot hole that myself as a local resident find a challenge. The roads in Catherine Field could not cope with the increase of traffic that such a large scale development would create.
5. Street lighting is minimal or non existing.
6. The biggest issue for this area is septic water disposal i.e. flooding septic water from one adjoining property to another.

These and numerous other issues are the reason I'm against the planned minarah college.

Please do not publish my name with this submission.

I see people rejecting the project to keep the “rural feel” or “road issues”.. Catherine Fields is the neighbourhood of all newly developed suburbs from Leppington, Camden, Emerald Hills etc. All these suburbs began “rural” and are now one of the top selling expensive areas in SWSLHD because of their development and yet they still kept their main heritage but adding more value to their area. If you love your residence you would want it to grow and develop and having a new highly academic school built in this area would benefit everyone including your neighborhood. Regarding roads.. think of Leppington and how there are 3 schools one of which most recent Amity College and the roadworks have been since restructured to support the growth of the neighborhood hence we have a government to support this and there’s no reason to stress about things that can be fixed. Support this project and make it happen as it will surely be a great addition to Catherine Fields.

This is not a feasible project for the local Catherine Field community.

Under the current proposal, Minarah College is being built in an area which is not developed to manage the substantial infrastructure requirements, safety issues, and traffic volumes of a large school. Catherine Field's roads are already of very poor quality despite the fact that it is a quiet suburb with relatively low local traffic. In particular, sections of Catherine Fields Road have worn away, and Chisholm Road has become so narrow that it can't fit two cars driving in opposite directions; how can school traffic possibly navigate roads of this low quality? Particularly when considering that this school would imply large traffic volumes during pick-up and drop-off times, and the presence of students will substantially increase the number of pedestrians on the roads, there are serious concerns for both safety and functionality. Catherine Field is a rural suburb by design, as its low levels of infrastructure are sufficient to facilitate residents' relatively quiet lives, with low levels of traffic and pedestrian activity being necessary to achieve this aim. The construction of this College will directly conflict with this as by their nature, schools require substantial infrastructure to function, such as parking, water and sewage facilities, and crucially: functional roads. If these changes to our infrastructure are not made, the school will be a disaster for residents, staff and students, as the inconvenience of congested traffic on poorly built roads is compounded by a lack of critical infrastructure. If they are made, the school will fundamentally disrupt the lives of this suburb's residents through increased congestion and noise pollution, which has already been illustrated in that the residents of Catherine Field have unanimously opposed the project since its proposal. The project is impractical for all parties involved, and, crucially, local residents will inevitably be required to bear the burdens that will arise.

The roads in Catherine Field are already in poor condition and are inadequate to support the community, with very limited access to main roads. Adding hundreds of cars twice a day will exacerbate the issue considerably. There is no benefit to the local community as it is extremely unlikely that any significant number of local residents will enrol students in the school. There is only downside for the community in terms of increased traffic and disturbance as many students are transported to and from the school daily; and no benefit as mentioned above. We choose to live in Catherine Field for the semi rural lifestyle, peace and quiet. Increasing congestion is in direct opposition to this. I would also like to emphasize that there will be environmental impacts as virtually all students will be travelling considerable distances to get to and home from the school daily. Therefore I oppose the development.

I object to this plan , has it is in a flood zone, Catherine Fields Road is in a poor condition with no line markings , no street lights , potholes ,no safety barriers no curb no footpaths no pedestrian crossing no sped humps has there will be increase in traffic
There is insufficient utilities specifically sewerage so the environmental impact will be detrimental for Catherine Field and the surrounding areas This is a rural location and a school of this size will not cope and alter the peace and quiet that residents originally moved to the area and are to happy to travel to a school outside the area

i object to the project as per attachment

I can confirm i Strongly OPPOSE the application as per my attached statement made