New High School in Bungendore

The Bungendore High School Action Group supports the Bungendore High School and we look forward to seeing the re-designed high school built in 2023.
It is wonderful that local teenage children will be able to continue their education in the heart of their own community and that there will be opportunities to extend the learning opportunities for our primary school children. Many families will stop leaving Bungendore because we have a local high school.
We also look forward to seeing all the associated investment into our community’s infrastructure including the much-needed upgrades to the primary school, a new pool, community centre and library as well as the new high school basketball courts and the primary school Oztag oval – both to be shared with the community. The recent commitment to build a new nature playground and upgrade the ball courts at the primary school will be a welcome addition for our community’s younger children as well. In addition, moving the council shopfront, community centre and library to the new Council offices makes a lot of sense as it relocates some of the traffic and frees up parking in the education precinct. This move is also welcomed by local businesses as it helps connects two separate retail areas.
Our community's children and families have been waiting for a high school for many years. We hope that the high school is built in its permanent location as soon as possible to reduce further impact on the primary school students who have been impacted by the temporary high school being built on their oval and play space.

I firmly believe the proposed Bungendore high school sight is wrong for the community.
The farmland that was originally considered for the sight would be a much better option and it could be turned into an Agricultural high school.

The plans for the new high school looks great

We object to the current plans for the Bungendore High school, on the grounds that it is not fit for purpose and wrongly located.

After reading the literature the Department of Education stuffed into our letter box and attending an evening presentation on the proposed school, we are now more concerned than ever.

In particular, after speaking to educational representatives at the Bungendore primary school, it seems the high school proposal draws inspiration from Dr Who’s Tardis and Hogwarts School for trainee wizards.

When asked about how the school will expand, we were told there is plenty of room. Detailed questioning soon showed that the reserved space needed to be much larger than the physical space available. The reluctant concession was made that if future growth predications were realised, expansion on the allocated spot would require a 6-story building. Are you aware of how many six-story buildings there are in Bungendore? The answer is zilch. This building definitely relies on design principles used in building the Tardis, where the inside is bigger than the outside.

If you have ever been to Bungendore, you will note that there is a small railway siding at the northern end. Perhaps the existence of this half-length siding kicked off the idea that the proposed high school could be based on Hogwarts School. Magic is clearly involved in how the Education Department can resume a much valued off-leash dog area and a precious community park without damaging long standing arrangements. Presumably there is also a magic solution for managing the traffic jams that will be created by buses and a road closure.

At one point in the evening one of the education representatives described the exhaustive consultations that had taken place with residents who would have their nature strips resumed for carparks. While Hogwarts 101 maths has clearly been used in car-park planning, it was interesting to note that a local resident affected by the proposed changes and in the street the representative said the consultations had occurred, asked why she had not been consulted. Mumbled silence. This example speaks to the wider problem of consultation: the quality of community consultation is questionable in the very least and has certainly not been transparent. But then on reflection, maybe Bungendore muggles were purposely excluded from the survey design?

One final point. One of the education representatives explained at some length that the park location was ideal because they wanted to insert the school “into the fabric of the community”. They seem to want to do the same thing Putin does when he “inserts” a cruise missile into a Ukrainian town.

In case we’ve been unclear, we do not want to see a much-treasured community park converted into a school that could be better placed elsewhere.

Geoff Langford and Carol Thornton

Please find attahced objection report and supporting photos re parking inthe Park precinct

Please see attached submission

The plan is short sighted with no room for expansion other that taking more of our town’s green space. The closure of Majara St will also cause irreversible traffic chaos for our town. The implications of placing the high school in this location will be an everlasting scar on the community fabric of Bungendore.

I strongly object to this project

It is ill conceived, divisive and unworkable
Concerns about loss of public amenity have not been addressed Crafted as ageist concerns it does not even attempt to address the value of the existing green space to those both younger and older
It is now common knowledge that there a inadequate funds to replace the highly valued community acquired swimming pool as was proposed
Traffic flow and parking issues have not been addressed and will necessarily force both parking and high traffic volume into adjacent streets
The site is too small to accommodate the requirements for a school site. The devil is in the detail and with every iteration it becomes both stupider and less feasible on this site.
Other suitable sites have been identified and rejected on questionable grounds A high school in this site or not at all has attempted to force a false choice
The agricultural area is proposed within a flood plain and cannot progress with no where else it can be
It would be inconceivable in any other electorate to make a community choose between green space and a long overdue high school
The interim arrangements which show demountable class rooms being put on primary school land further diminishes playing and socially appropriate spaces for the current primary school children
In total this has become an indefensible, costly and inappropriate proposition and the longer it circulates the less responsible the use of public money it becomes

It is a fraught, dog of a project on the this site and the sooner it is abandoned the better

‘I object to the High School being built on the proposed site and believe there are much better alternative sites around Bungendore – It is BAD PLANNING’

The high school in this location is seriously a complete disaster. I have 4 kids at Bungendore Public School and already the congestion is an issue. Our family appreciates the need for a high school in Bungendore. No one I know in Bungendore, that is from Bungendore thinks this is a good idea…….please don’t ruin our town

I object to this plan. Our community lodged 244 separate objections last time, don’t ignore our community's overwhelming rejection of your choice of site. Easy for you in government to make the wrong choice bc it won’t impact you, your family and friends, town.

I object to the High School being built on the proposed site and KNOW there are much better alternative sites around Bungendore – It is BAD PLANNING. Why are you sticking to it and alienating the town? Why aren’t you listening to us? You’re OUR elected officials yet you’re ignoring what we want. You’re even ignoring the council and bullying them. That’s disgusting and you should be ashamed of yourselves. There are terrific alternatives, Tarago Road being one which makes sense, is available, is wanted and alienates no one.
The design is only “future proof” as far as 2036. It doesn’t even have a design life of 15 years!! What are you going to do after that? Sell it off to a developer and build a new school somewhere you should have built in the first place?
This plan will end up in the courts unless you start listening.

I have re-submitted my 2021 Objection because quite frankly the DofE's2022 response (below) utterly failed to answer the questions posed. For additional clarity, this time I have attached that earlier response together with a pdf copy of the Dept of Planning's professional assessment of the situation published immediately prior the the surprise announcement made by the former member for Monaro John Barilaro. The DofE continues to pedal lies and untruths about the decision to select Bungendore Park in a display worthy of President Putin of Russia. A 12 month site due diligence process. Absolute rubbish.
DoE's SSDA 2021 Response:
A 12-month site due diligence process was undertaken, and over 1000 hectares of land was
assessed.
Each site was assessed based on its suitability to support the needs of the project. This
included availability of services such as sewerage, electricity, and roads; the accessibility of
the site; and environmental constraints such as bushfire, ecological impacts and flooding.
A public expression of interest (EOI) was undertaken, as a site was not initially found that met
the needs of the project. Three submissions were received for proposed locations through
the EOI process. These were investigated thoroughly and, unfortunately, were also found to
be unsuitable for this project.
Following the due diligence process, the Majara/Gibraltar Streets precinct was identified as
the most suitable location.

I have a child attending the new high school. My Family relocated to Bungendore from busy Sydney. Having my child start highschool on the oval of the primary school is the most disappointing action that has occurred. My Family is 100% supportive of the high school and its proposed location, we are very disappointed with the set backs and location of it being on the primary oval and are hopeful this won't be for a long time.

I object to the planned site of the Bungendore High School as there are more appropriate sites available.

Dear Sir or Madam

NEW HIGH SCHOOL IN BUNGENDORE
APPLICATION NO. SSD-14394209

I refer to the above state-significant development application.

My concerns around the proposed site were not addressed in the Amendment Report (dated 12 September, 2022), so I again object to the proposal, for the following reasons:

- The chosen site requires too many unworkable compromises from our community. We should not have to choose between having a high school and having basic community facilities. The updated development application removes promised community facilities such as the council shopfront, community centre and library. This is a direct result of bad planning.
- The proposed site is grossly inadequate for our country children and is below the minimum standards set by the NSW Government of 4 hectares. The proposed high school will have a capacity for 450 students and will be overcrowded from the day it opens. There is a lack of play space, with most of the small play space marked as a “future expansion zone”. The updated development application states that the proposal- including the supposed room for expansion - is only “future proof” as far as 2036. This is alarming, given that the NSW Government has endorsed a plan to develop land east of Bungendore to accommodate approximately 1000 people.
- The historic character of Bungendore remains under threat as a result of this development on this site. Bungendore Park is the heart and soul of the Bungendore community. The Park is an accessible, green public space, used daily by members of the public for sport and recreation. Losing this site will significantly affect the town’s amenity and harm cultural heritage. The updated proposal further encroaches on the Park by shifting construction west.
- The closure of Majara Street will see traffic currently using this section of the road, diverted past Bungendore Preschool on Turallo Terrace, and onto surrounding residential streets. There are already major traffic and safety issues at pick-up and drop-off times. Without consulting the residents of Turallo Terrace, the updated proposal includes a plan to construct 58 additional car parking spaces along the road. This will see Turallo Terrace turned into a carpark. The development application also fails to take into account the proposed preschool expansion. An increase in the number of pedestrians (many with children) crossing back and forth across this road will further exacerbate an already chaotic traffic situation.

At $71 million this high school proposal ranks in the top five most expensive school developments in NSW. This is an astronomical cost incurred by taxpayers. For this price, the community deserves a fit-for-purpose, future-proof school for our children. I strongly believe that a more suitable site at a fraction of the cost can be found in Bungendore. I implore the Department of Education to revisit sites that were previously excluded.

Yours faithfully,

08 October 2022

Director – Social and Infrastructure Assessments
Planning and Assessment
Department of Planning, Industry and Environment
Locked Bag 5022
Parramatta NSW 2124

Dear Sir/Madam

FORMAL OBJECTION to State Significant Development Application 14394209
NEW HIGH SCHOOL IN BUNGENDORE

I object to the High School being built on our local Bungendore Park.

This is BAD PLANNING!

It has been recognised by our local council, QPRC, that Bungendore does not have enough tree canopy, not enough green space and that this has caused the temperature for the village to be too high compared to the surrounding area whilst, QPRC is cutting down large trees in our local park, turning green space into concrete carparks and now selling off the only greenspace left in the heritage centre of town for a large, space dominating concrete High School.

Where would we build another park as there is no land left in the centre of town?

Most towns and cities have a central park for celebrations, sports, weddings, formal photos, rotundas, picnic tables etc. The Park has played a large part in my family and community’s lives since it was gazetted in 1884. Every November I gather my children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great great grandchildren for a family Christmas get together. The Park and its facilities are ideal for our large family reunions. Council uses it for community Christmas parties. It is used for Government pop-up services. It has been home to the Bungendore Tigers Rugby League team since 1908. Our Cenotaph stands proudly on the park and commemorates our local fallen soldiers who fought to protect us.

The Park is vital to the health and well-being of our community. A large playground has recently been built on the park for our children.

Parks enhance property values and attract retirees, an over 55’s village has recently been completed and many retired folks are using the park. The local bank financed adult exercise equipment for the many people using the park for fitness and exercise. Parks are the health and welfare centre of a town, and this Park does all that and very well.

I object to the demolition of the Community Centre which has been a much-loved community asset for decades. This centre is not ready for demolition. It is used constantly by the community for – Before and After School Care, Mothers Groups, Community Nurse, Volunteer group to house volumes of medical and disabled equipment for loan to the community, quilting groups, bridge club, and so on. The Department of Education has decided in the amendments to the SSDA to remove all community facilities from its plan and have left no alternative replacement for this valuable community asset. DoE are relying on QPRC to replace this asset. This is extremely BAD PLANNING!

I object because the “Common” is also a heritage area, much valued as such, and has been pride of the community for way more than a century. The ‘Common’ is used for walking and outdoor activities by the community. It is also flood prone and home to many tiger snakes. The High School Ag plot on the common is Bad Planning!

I request that Planning New South Wales rejects this development application.

This project is far from ideal. Bungendore is a country town, not a suburb of a city. This project will have a significant impact on the culture of our town, puts far too much traffic into the centre of town, and deteriorates the historically significant grid system of Bungendore. There are other, more appropriate sites for this school.

Culture: Bungendore is a town with a rich, and diverse history and culture. Bungendore Park, the site the high school is slated for, has been gazetted as Crown Land since the early 1880s as a site for recreational use, town events (such as sporting activities), cultural celebrations (such as Bungendore and District Car Club, and the Country Music Muster), and general use by groups such as fitness groups and kids kicking footies. The fencing of the park will significantly hinder its use, and value to the town. The Park hosts a War Memorial, Stone Pines grown from seeds collected at Gallipoli, Bush Balladeers Place, the graves of 2 Indigenous boys, adult fitness stations, tennis courts, horse railings, the town swimming pool, cricket nets, and a new children's park.
The park is within walking distance of the entire town, centrally located and an integral part of the community with real, intrinsic value.

Traffic: Currently traffic in Bungendore around the primary school is challenging on school days and weekends. Doubling this with another 500 odd kids while closing roads, will add hundreds more cars to this congestion.
During school days the roads are jammed up in all directions with parents dropping off, or collecting their kids. Treatments such as drop off points during school hours has reduced the chaos, but only slightly.
On weekends (and weeknights) there is the same level of chaos, with 200 odd kids playing football on Saturday mornings, plus a similar number of participants for Rugby and Rugby League over Saturday and Sunday. The new sports ground has been built to relieve this congestion on weekends, but only as a complementary solution, not a replacement. If this plan goes ahead, the current issues at Mick Sherd oval on weeknights (for training) and weekends for matches will simply be shifted to the new sports grounds. This is robbing Peter to pay Paul.

Grid system: Bungendore was designed and developed in the 19th century with a grid system. The system operates on the points of the compass and incorporates the north south train track. With the school in this location, the grid system will be undermined I and around Turallo Terrace, Majara Street, and Gibralter Streets. There will be wider impacts on Ellendon, Butmaroo, and Malbon Streets.

Other sites: There are other, more appropriate sites for this school. Rather than jamming a brand new high school into a small, cramped, brown fields site that has limited capacity to grow with an expanding town, the department should consider the opportunities for more sprawling land at better cost. The site at Ashby is one such site. The town gets a better quality educational outcome, and doesn't;t sacrifice significant parts of its culture, history and heritage.

Conclusion: Bungendore is a country town, not a suburb of a bigger city. This plan will see our history, culture and identity forever changed by a project that puts hundreds more cars into our small town centre. Our historical grid system will be undermined for the worse. Bungendore has sprawling paddocks with many opportunities for greenfield developments with better value than the brown field development being offered. Bungendore can, and should do much better than this.

I objected to the original proposal and I object to the amendments to this project. It is an ill-conceived project and the exhibited amendments do nothing to improve it. Size and number of buildings have both been reduced, yet the capacity remains 450 students. Further population developments already in the works will increase the likely load of students and the ability to expand the High School is almost non existent.
Parking and Traffic arrangements seem to be chaotic. The bus interchange for BHS will be on Gibraltar Street, already a very busy area and already at over-capacity by use for parking for the Primary School. A traffic plan must be produced. Has there ever been a proper Traffic Plan?

Please see attached my submission. Please request relevant and accurate responses to the points I have raised in this.

9th October 2022

Director – Social and Infrastructure Assessments
Planning and Assessment
Department of Planning, Industry and Environment
Locked Bag 5022
Parramatta NSW 2124

Dear Sir/Madam

FORMAL OBJECTION to State Significant Development Application 14394209
NEW HIGH SCHOOL IN BUNGENDORE

I object to the proposed site of Bungendore Park for the proposed high school.

Bungendore Park and Majara Street form part of the original town grid, laid out by Colonial Surveyor James Larmer in 1837. There are very few public places in New South Wales, let alone Australia, with such a long European history. Its size and shape have not changed since. The Park existed long before but was formally gazetted in 1884 and “dedicated for the purpose of public recreation”. It has played a huge role in the culture and life of the town and has been home to the Tigers, Bungendore Rugby League, since 1908.
Department of Education which has a perfectly appropriate site for a high school in Bungendore selected in the EOI process by the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment, has instead decided that our much loved, and well used heritage park is the right spot for their high school. They intend to build prefab multi-storey buildings in a heritage precinct on land that the high school is forecast to outgrow in three years after completion.

Bungendore businesses rely on tourism to be viable, and the park is a major asset for tourism. The notion that people can just use other green space shows a lack of study by report writers on the importance of the park to Bungendore’s economy and health. The suggestion in the Social Impact Statement that Warren Little Oval would be a suitable replacement for our central park shows clearly that the author of this statement is ignorant of the geographical location of these parks to each other and their useability. Warren Little Oval is often in flood and is isolated from the tourist area of the town.

Public consultation was at best inadequate. Department of Education has been unable to produce any reports of consultation that they purportedly had with “Mick Sherd Oval” stakeholders. After the unexpected announcement of the proposed High School on Bungendore Park, consultation comprised an online survey about school design principles, an information hub, a second information hub where attendances weren’t recorded, no avenue of recording an opinion or objection and glossy pamphlets and newsletters that could apply to a high school anywhere in the state. Their suggestion that this high school will boost the local economy etc is probably very true but that will be the result of a new high school no matter what land it is built on.

I request that Planning New South Wales rejects this development application.

08 October 2022

Director – Social and Infrastructure Assessments
Planning and Assessment
Department of Planning, Industry and Environment
Locked Bag 5022
Parramatta NSW 2124

Dear Sir/Madam

FORMAL OBJECTION to State Significant Development Application 14394209
NEW HIGH SCHOOL IN BUNGENDORE

I strongly object to the Bungendore High school being built on the Crown Land Reserve. I understand that this Crown Reserve was dedicated for public recreation in 1884. This is an area of land dedicated to the community and no part of it should not be controlled by the NSW Department of Education.

The Crown Reserve is the only green space area in the heritage part of old Bungendore.

I also object to the proposed takeover of part of the off-leash dog area. This is a long-standing and much valued Crown Land Reserve which enjoys popular use. It also carries heritage status.

I also object to the closure of parts of Majara Street. This street carries heritage value having been laid out by the original subdivision of the village. This street is particularly well used and carries a huge number of vehicles.

I object to the closure of Majara Street to the north of Turallo Terrace. This would create a land-locked parcel of land. I believe this situation to be illegal.

I also object to the demolition of the Community Centre. This building was community funded and plays an important part in the running of community events. This building services the Baby Health Clinic, Bungendore Community Aid’s medical supply service, many volunteer groups, family events, social groups, Play group. A previous occupant of this Community Building was a privately operated ‘Before and After School Care’ business which has ceased operation because the Department would not continue its accreditation because the business failed the risk assessment in regard to having children cross busy Turallo Terrace after the proposed High School is built.

Although the NSW Department of Education may argue this point there are more suitable sites available for the building of a high school.

I request that Planning New South Wales rejects this development application.