New Eileen O'Connor School

It is unjustifiable for the school to overload small suburban streets with substantial traffic when these roads are intended exclusively for residential purposes. The entry and exit roads through Woodbury Park Estate frequently experience congestion, and this development would exacerbate the issue. I plan to argue that the school should utilize its own land to construct an internal road, ensuring suitable access via Gavenlock Road Mardi.

I STRONGLY OBJECT to this project. The school itself is fine, but the proposed access point is not.
Keefers Glen is a tiny residential street. This would be a nightmare for the residents in this and surrounding streets, plus the main thoroughfare Woodbury Park Drive. The school's address is 84 Gavenlock Road. Surely that would have to also be the entry/exit point? Where else is there a school that you have to enter via small residential streets? Yes, schools are built in residential areas, but you don't need to travel into a nearby area, go in and out of various small streets to access to the back gate. Schools have their entry/exit on the main frontage of the school and usually provide at least a small amount of parking. These streets are too narrow and can't accommodate anything but residents of the homes in the area.
This project will de-value properties in that area particularly, but the whole of Woodbury Park Estate as well. Parents of the children at the school will be entering from both ends of Woodbury Park Drive, making even more traffic. A school bus getting into Keefers Glen? I don't think so.
Trucks and tradies? No. They either won't fit or will be parking all over residents properties for months until the building is complete.
The only sensible option is for a private access road on Gavenlock Road, such at St Peters College, to be built on the surrounding land (of which there is ample).
I have really never seen a more ridiculous proposal for entry and exit to a school. Just because it is handy and close to the school, does not make it right or logical. It would likely take parents dropping their children off actually longer having to travel so far from the easiest access point to enter via the back way.
Please use discernment, and quite frankly common sense, when making decisions on the matter.

Having lived on Richmond Mews for nearly two years, I strongly oppose the proposal to make Keefers Glen the main access point for a school of this scale. Keefers Glen is already a problematic and dangerous street — it has an unusual shape with two tight bends, and it is not wide enough for two cars to safely pass each other. The street currently endures significant congestion from traffic associated with the existing school nearby, resulting in daily difficulties for residents. This includes navigating around stopped cars, pedestrians, and increased noise levels during school arrival and departure times. Introducing a second school access here would intensify these issues to an unsafe level. The street’s limited width and visibility, especially at the intersection with Brickendon Avenue, makes it extremely hazardous. Visibility of oncoming traffic from the left when turning is already poor, and increased traffic would only worsen this risk.
Furthermore, the current plans appear to under-allocate car parking spaces. This will likely lead to overflow parking on already narrow streets, creating further safety hazards and significant inconvenience for residents.
I respectfully urge the planning team to consider routing access through the existing school infrastructure or identifying an alternative access route that does not place an undue burden on Keefers Glen and surrounding residential streets.

I support the idea of the school, however, the access to the school can not be primarily through the Woodbury Park Estate (Keefers Glen, Brickendon Ave). Access via Gavenlock Road would be much more suitable.

While I support the building of the school I do NOT support the proposed entry/exit on Keefers Glen.
Keefers Glen is already full of cars at school morning/afternoon drop offs and pick ups that flow into Deloraine Glen and surrounding streets.
The streets in this area are way to small to accommodate more traffic from the school.
The entry/exit for the school should be at the Gavenlock entrance

I am a local resident and I support the construction and operation of a new special education school catering for 200 students in Years K-12. I believe there needs to be amendments before the project is approved. These include:
* Removing access to and from the site from the small local back streets - Keefers Glen, Brickendon Avenue, Wagners Place and Deloraine Glen. These roads are too small and congested by residential traffic and would not cope safely with the additional traffic generated by the school. Woodbury Park Drive is already very busy and there are often near misses where Brickendon Avenue and Wagners Place meet it.
* The new school should be accessed from a new or extended driveway from Gavenlock Road through the St Peters site.
* Gavenlock Road should be upgraded with additional turning lanes and possibly a roundabout outside the St Peters entry to handle the additional traffic generated by the school.
* The new school is proposing to have 71 full-time equivalent (FTE) staff, but the site will only have parking for 60 cars plus 5 kiss and ride/visitor parking. Additional parking spaces are needed for staff/visitors so they do not park on the already clogged streets surrounding the school.
* St Peters should also include additional parking for senior students so they also don't park on surrounding streets.
Thank you for your consideration.

We are from a neighbouring property and for the following reasons we do not support the development of the new school as currently proposed.
-Heavy congestion which will bottle neck throughout the smaller streets and onto two ends of Woodbury park drive
- devaluing house property as people will not want to buy on a busy street or neighbourhood
- Removal of resident & visitor parking on Keefers Glen (there is zero benefit to residents on this street)
- Promoting a dangerous through-street on what is supposed to be a safe area for children
- Sending all storm water to keefers Glen, which is already overrun during heavy rain
- No need to impact residents at all, safe alternate road can be built from Gavenlock Rd entrance
- Proposal talks about how the school will ‘look good’ to the support class kids. They don’t care about curb - appeal, they just want to be included & walk through the same front door as every other child (on Gavenlock)
- Perfect opportunity to fix traffic issues on Gavenlock school drop off, by creating an additional driveway for parents
- Gavenlock driveway Safer entry for those in the support unit, rather than being on what will become a busy, gridlocked residential road
- Safety & privacy being taken away from Mardi community by a huge developer driven project. There is no ‘community’ project here.
- Mardi residents shouldering multiple losses while big developer offers no compensation or empathy
- It is not hard for them to change design for entrance via Gavenlock, Infact it is something that has already been considered, but developer is pushing for what they think ‘looks good’, instead of thinking about the impacts of an entire community

- 100% of students will require assisted travel or private vehicle from kindergarten through to year 12.
It makes more sense to facilitate this from the Gavenlock Rd end, causing zero trouble to the neighbouring community

-While the developer is concerned about the roadside appeal, those home owners surrounding the area are more concerned about our loss of property value, loss of privacy, safety concern, traffic concern, access concerns & the further increase of people speeding through the area as a short cut.

We can still support the school being built itself, it is just clearly nonsensical to Interrupt a community for an extended period of time, and devalue properties or a suburb, because the developer thinks it will look prettier to have a main entrance in the back streets instead of via the actual main gate.

This doesn’t just affect those on Keefers Glen. It affects the suburb as a whole.

I support the proposed school but I do NOT support the entry/exit on Keefers Glen. Keefers Glen is already full of cars at school morning/afternoon drop offs and pick ups. The streets in this area are way too small to accommodate more traffic from the new school. The entry/exit for the school should be on Gavenlock.

Gavenlock driveway Safer entry for those in the support unit, rather than being on what will become a busy, gridlocked residential road. Perfect opportunity to fix traffic issues on Gavenlock school drop off, by creating an additional driveway for parents

It is much needed but the main entrance should NOT be situated on Keefers Glen and rafter relocated to another spot on Gavenlock Road. The current plans will cause heavy congestion, which could potentially bottle neck onto the smaller streets in Woodbury park, leading to major traffic disruption. It will also lead to the devaluation of houses on the street, as people do not want to buy a house on a busy street.

In order to do this widening of keefners glen should be considered as this rd is quite hard to navigate when busy and will only get harder with a new school.

Hello,
I live within Mardi NSW and close to where this school will be placed. I can understand and appreciate the need of an education facility like this, and I am in support of it. However, I do not believe that access to this school let alone the current school should be allowed through Mardi / Woodbury Park Drive. Mardi is a relatively densely populated suburb, with existing traffic issues. Many people have brought in this area due to the relatively quite nature (minus the traffic). The streets are narrow and to be honest, 50/KH limits in the streets in Mardi is borderline too fast. Constant speeding cars from people using it as a cut through off the freeway and the industrial area have made traffic issues somewhat dangerous at peak AM and PM times (school times).

In appendix R, it appears that traffic impacts have not been fully assessed. The local council has objected to the use of Mardi for access and I support their objections. Access should be via existing Gavenlock road entry. Gavenlock Road is a wide road in an industrial area with the other supporting infrastructure in place to support the traffic of the existing school. Perhaps St. Peters can give up some of their unused land on their northern side to create a separate driveway / entry and exit for the special needs school - that seems like the most practical, compassionate and understanding way forward and I am amazed it was not on the plans.

Mardi cannot handle the construction vehicles, crews or ongoing additional traffic from the new school and it is sub optimal to assume that 'upgrading the surrounding roads and intersection's' is enough for the small area of Mardi. People will be very negatively impacted by this current proposal - please re consider using Gavenlock Road as the council suggested - the overall need for this special needs school is immeasurable, and the areas at St. Peters is perfect, but please, do it right.

I am writing to object to this project due to the below.
I believe this will have a detrimental affect to the community that lives in Keefers Glen, Deloraine Cr, and Brickendon Avenue. The traffic around this area at school times is already a nightmare with cars parked either side of Keefers Glen. Not to mention the environmental impact this will have with the increased emissions from diesel buses and more cars driving into the new entrance to the school off of Keefers Glen. How anyone would want to continue living here with that amount of pollution in a residential area (and I am one of them) I don't know!! The disruption to existing wildlife that live in these grounds at the moment would be awful, numerous animals would be displaced.
The eyesore of a 3 story building right in our backyards is also of great concern. 3 stories is way too high, giving a gloomy outlook from our houses both in Keefers Glen and Brickendon Ave.
The obvious solution to me would be to construct the school at the front of the existing school which has a main entrance off Gavenlock Road. There is ample land available to construct this school and as it would then border the industrial area, the environmental impact would be far less serious. If the existing school needs playing fields, there is a sporting complex less than five minutes away. However there is plenty of land at the front of the school to provide space for the school and playing fields. This would allow for buses and extra cars to enter via Gavenlock, students would also be accommodated for in a school that could be built to their requirements without impacting on existing 'residential' areas that house many elderly and families with small children whose safety would be at risk from all the extra traffic.
I do believe that not enough consideration has been taken into account of the impact this development will have, the year or two of construction with trucks/diggers and the like entering the area causing traffic delays as well as noise nuisance and environmental disruption.
Please reconsider this development and not allow such a monstrosity in such a well established residential area that will impact so many.

This project is a very worthwhile project, but I would like to suggest that the multistorey part of the building be moved to another part of the structure, so it is not overlooking, and overshadowing, homes that are on the adjacent fence line in Brickendon Ave. There appears to be several other parts of this building that the multistorey section could be accommodated more suitably, which would not impact the already established homes in this area.

I am writing in relation to the proposed New Eileen O’Connor School under Application number SSD-67173718.
My overall position is that this development has the potential to be a net positive for the area, however I believe the application in it’s current state is disingenuous at best, with outright misdirection appearing to be a key element of the proposal.
First and foremost, the site address is listed at 84 Gavenlock Road, Mardi while the actual entrance for the building will be located 3km away by road on Keefers Glen, Mardi. For those who are not aware, Keefers Glen is a small residential street that struggles to allow flow of local traffic during peak hours, which will overlap with the primary use times of the proposed school. In addition to lacking the space for local traffic, Keefers Glen also has minimal off street parking which is insufficient for residents and guests in current state. Keefers Glen and surrounding streets do not have the capacity to be the entrance for a 200 student school.
Another element that has not been considered in the proposal is that due to the nature of the school, the majority of the 200 students will not be arriving via public transport or walking, they will require a responsible adult to pick up and drop off every day. The streets around Keefers Glen already bottleneck without the additional traffic required to support the safety of the students.
Further to this, the development proposal has not provided enough on-site parking for staff members. Approximately 20% of staff will be forced into off street parking on a daily basis, in an area which does not have sufficient parking for residents.
The final point I would like to raise is that Central Coast Council disagrees with the proposal to have the entrance via Keefers Glen due to the same issues I have mentioned above.
I believe this application in it’s current form should not go ahead.
Regards,
Brock Laurenson

This is going to cause Chaos for Mardi traffic, please look at alternate roads to the school, this will effect everyone living in Mardi please re-evaluate.

I object to this school being built for the following reasons
Privacy
Parking
Noise pollution
School access point change
Lack of community compensation or offsetting measures
Keefers glen and surrounding streets are not designed to withstand the amount of traffic planned with this development
The construction noise and traffic should also be a consideration and also the amount of dust pollution from the construction itself
There are plenty of other spaces this school could be built
This estate is not the place

I have no objections to the new Eileen O'Connor School being built on the St Peters site. I do however object to the entrance and exit being situated at Keefers Glen, it is a very small street which will be heavily impacted. I live in Wagners Place which is the next street, our streets are narrow and have cul-de-sacs. I am concerned about buses coming down our street to access Keefers Glen, there is a chicane at the top of Wagners which is tricky, many a car has scraped their tyres on it, it is sharp and could topple a bus if they take it too tight. Also a concern is there is not much in the way of parking even for residents. A few family's have teenagers with cars that park up and down the street not leaving much room for any others. I walk past the entrance at Gavenlock Road with my dogs, there is plenty of room for cars and buses to enter, there are no tricky corners and narrow roads to navigate, Keefers Glen is far too narrow with not enough parking for any extras. I strongly oppose the entrance and exit being situated at Keefers Glen which will be chaos when it comes to school pickup as there is absolutely no room, my concern is someone may be hit by a car in the chaos. It is inconsiderate and totally not necessary when there is a perfectly good and safer entrance & exit on Gavenlock Road.

The development will have a significate impact to the roads and services to the entrance at Keefers Glen. Woodbury park drive has many pot holes and are not fixed in time and are continually showing up without being repaired impacting road safety already, if this is the present state there will be a greater impact to the roads not being repaired in the area for this future development.
The roads are not designed leading to the school for large vehicles and even cars, there is insufficient parking for proposed staff who will be working at the proposed location. Safety even at this stage is not suffice for a school entrance. Where will the traffic overflow go, currently they block Deloraine Glen and there is no ease of access from our residential property for essential services at the peak times for drop off and pick up even at this stage, what about the future.
There needs to be greater transparency in the proposal, there were over 10 PDF's on the proposal and not one when you complete control find and search can you find Reefers Glen in the documents in the finder.
This is a residential area that embraces many walks of life and opportunities for development in the community that will benefit them, there is no financial incentive and benefit to the direct surrounding community from this development.

Please reconsider and plan better and propose another location for the entrance. Glenrock rd perhaps, and it is close to Subway, Mc Donalds and Hungry Jacks. Great for those workers who are hungry to complete the work.

Whilst I understand and empathise the need for such a school, I and all my neighbours that I've spoken to, are strongly against this proposal.

I will list my objections below in a summary/bullet format:

1. This is not the correct/ideal location for an additional school.
2. The current school (St Peters) already presents serious noise and traffic challenges in the area on a daily basis.
3. The new school will merely magnify and exacerbate the scenarios/conditions listed in the point above.
4. The quality of life in Cobbs Village will be severely degraded with all the additional noise, traffic congestion, parking issues, etc.
5. Children playing outside will need to be more mindful and aware of additional traffic.
6. The road infrastructure in the area was not designed and is not suitable for additional traffic, parking, pollution, etc.
7. Pets, in particular dogs will be impacted physically and emotionally due to the increased noise and visual stimulation.
8. People's privacy will also be severely compromised with a new multi-story building behind their yards.
9. People working from home will also be impacted by the additional noise.
10. Property values in the area will drop considerable.

Of course, all children deserve a safe and happy place to be educated, however, as I re-iterated earlier, I believe this is not the right place for it.

I appreciate your consideration.
Thank you
Ugo