New High School in Bungendore

Dear Sir or Madam

NEW HIGH SCHOOL IN BUNGENDORE
APPLICATION NO. SSD-14394209

I refer to the above state-significant development application.

I object to the proposal, for the following reason(s):

12m high pre fabricated structures built across Majara Street.
a large part of Bungendore Park and part of Mick Sherd Oval surrounded by a 2.1m metal fence and closed to the public between school hours.
Part of the off lead dog park will be taken away from us. This is an important community aspect for people and dogs alike. dogs are as much a part of our community.
High school to be confined within such a limited space - for only 450 students - that will prevent future growth and expansion - unless more of our park is to be encroached - not well thought out.
High school would be better placed on the outskirts of the village rather than dumped right in the middle. The proposed location will take away from the lovely village open to the entire community and tourists. It will ruin the lovely community aspect.
The loss of the community facility which is currently being used by a number of community activities, including workshops etc. No alternative sites or facilities have been proposed.
Overall, I feel that the high school will create an exclusivity in my own village to the benefit to only a section of the community that has children who will attend the school. I resent that the school will cost the rest of us so much in terms of losing the heart of our village.

I have not, and no associate of mine, has made any political donation to any person in the 2 years preceding this submission. [If you have made any political donations, check the Department of Planning’s website for the relevant disclosure form.]

This is a formal objection to SSDA 14394209 regarding the current proposal in regard to a High School in Bungendore. First, I object to the lack of public consultation around the proposal as well as the proposed decimation of the green space and heritage area that is fundamental to the history and aesthetic of the Bungendore village hub. Secondly, I object to the lack of space for future growth in a community that has a growth projection set to triple within the next decade. The surrounding streets will be clogged with traffic, there is a complete lack of space for parking and safety issues for school drop off students who walk and cycle to school.

I, Dr Emily Nicoll, strongly object to the development application SSD-14394209 a New High School for Bungendore for the following reasons:

1. I object to the loss of public green space and amenity. The land being used for this proposed development is crown land dedicated for public use and recreation. Should the high school go ahead the last area of open green space in the central aspect of Bungendore Village will be lost forever. If the events of the past couple of years have taught us anything, they have taught us about the importance of open, accessible green space in our communities. Space that is accessible to those without a car, to those who might be frail or unable to traverse long distances, space where children can play at any time of the day, where families can gather, where sport can be watched and played. If the development goes ahead, this area will be restricted, with no day time access for members of the general community. A basic human need, for our mental and our physical health, is access to clean, natural and accessible open green space. As QPRC seeks to further infill our residential spaces by allowing for smaller and smaller lot subdivisions, access to green, treed and open areas will become even more vital. As such, it is crucial that these central, community accessible areas of open space remain protected.

2. I object to this development on the basis of the negative impact on the Heritage value in the area. This development is totally out of character for this area of the village and will have a massive negative impact of the surrounding views. I feel that a two story commercial modern development has no place in this part of Bungendore and will destroy the very thing people stop at Bungendore Park to appreciate: the open, green space with views of the hills and of a beautiful railway station and other heritage buildings.

3. I object to this development on the basis that it does not meet the basic requirements for a new high school as set out by the Department of Education. The site is too small, not even meeting the department's minimal site size requirements. There is no room for future growth at this site. The Queanbeyan Palerang region is one of the fastest growing regions in NSW. We should be looking to future proof this investment by building it in a location where growth can occur without further loss to a community's village lifestyle. There is no question that other sites were made available and to say otherwise is insulting and disrespectful to our community.

4. I object to the manner in which the development proposal has been conducted. Freedom of information document requests have made it very clear that lies and half-truths have been told all along by stakeholders and proponents of the high school being built on this specific site. Lies were told about how much of the community was in favour of this location. I am totally in favour of Bungendore having a beautiful new high school but NOT in this location. Lies were told about traffic assessments. Lies were told about the availability of alternate sites. Lies were told about the ease with which crown land could be usurped. I am sickened and disheartened by the manner in which the proposal has been drafted. I am disgusted about the blatant lies and back-room deals that have occurred. I think it is time this community was treated with respect and honesty.

In summary, I want Bungendore to have a new high school. I feel that there are several other appropriate sites where it could be located and one in particular that should have been the location all along. I am not affiliated with any political party at either a local, state or federal level. I strongly and absolutely object to this development proposal SSD-14394209.

Yours sincerely,

Dr Emily Nicoll
B. Medicine FRACGP

I object to the proposal, for the following reasons:

The Bungendore community should not have to sacrifice a significant portion of its town center, including a functioning community center and swimming pool, to secure an undersized local high school. Surely a ‘State Significant Project’ demands a more suitable location that would:
- Allow the construction of a high school that fails to comply with the Department of Education’s own site size guidelines (4 hectares)
- Will not irreparably damage the historic center of the town.

The proposed plan of the school (landscape drawing – App 5b) show absolutely no room for any expansion or additional buildings should they be required in the future. It is obvious that 2.9 hectares is insufficient space for a project of this nature and that further additions will only impinge further on what remains of the town center.

Recent soil testing has found significant lead contamination in the rail corridor immediately adja-cent to the proposed site. Does the DoE believe parents will be comfortable sending their children to such a site, which will include an agricultural plot within 50m of the contaminated rail corridor?

The proposed agricultural plot features a 2.1m dog proof mesh fence. This will mar what remains of the dog off-leash area in order to protect a potentially lead-contaminated garden plot and a storage building. Similar fencing is planned for other parts of the site and is simply not compatible with the town center aesthetic.

Finally, this selection of this site has caused significant division within the local community, taking it from a position where support for a local high school was near-universal to one that is divided between those understandably desperate for a short-term solution against those wishing to see project done properly the first time around. This could have long-term social consequences in a small country town such as Bungendore.

Like all members of this community, I fully support a local high school. It must however, be sited in a position that does not compromise or impact the essential character of our town.

Sally S Saunders
Street Address Withheld
Bungendore NSW 2621


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

Dear Sir or Madam
NEW HIGH SCHOOL IN BUNGENDORE
APPLICATION NO. SSD-14394209

I refer to the above state-significant development application. I strongly object to this proposal for several reasons:

1. This town has many community activities that occur in the park at the site proposed for the high school. These activities help bind our community together. The new sports hub will not replace that. I concur that the town should preserve its park.
2. The town is slated for considerable growth over the next decades. The site will not allow for appropriate expansion of the high school.
3. The traffic congestion will be awful. It is already an issue of parking as parents take children to the primary school next to the site. This will be greatly exasperated when high school students with drivers licenses bring their cars to school.
4. Turallo Terrace, identified by the Dept of Education as a footpath, is an essential connection road and should NOT be closed.


Cordially,
Sally S Saunders

I OBJECT on the following grounds
1 the site is too small
2 it will cause traffic congestion on Turallo Terrace and Gibraltar Street
3 contamination of lead 30 metres from site
4 destroy the look of the town
5 cause the Bungendore Park to be off limits for most of the day

I fully support the project in its current form. I wish to alert the planners to the undermining misinformation attempts that occur regularly on facebook within Bungendore, the pooling of money that has gone on within this group to purchase ads on facebook and to otherwise sway public opinion on this matter. Everyone I have spoken to without exception is in support of this plan. Please do not be swayed by a group of small minded individuals who appear to have swayed a large portion of the elderly population. You are doing a great job. Keep it up.

My family and I support the build of a High School in Bungendore, in its proposed location. Bungendore is a growing town, with a large catchment area and school choices are limited as we are no longer able to send children to Canberra for Public Schooling. The proposed location of the high school makes sense as an education precinct in town, and will not detract from any town amenities. Having the choice to send children to school locally will also help many families cut down commute times and gain a better quality of life.

I object to the location of the new Bungendore High School as I am concerned about room for future growth, poor traffic flow and the impact to the Town’s heritage park. Losing the Mick Sherd oval for freely accessible community use would negatively impact on all residents. Our town deserves a new high school, but not at the detriment of our existing oval and park space. Once it’s gone, we can’t get it back.

The high school for Bungendore is desperately needed and cannot be delayed any further. This current proposal has more benefits for the community than it has negatives. As a parent of children who require this facility, I support this proposal and ask that it be considered favourably to proceed as planned.

The new high school in Bungendore is needed. With the growth of Bungendore and the additional recent land release it is necessary to have a high school centrally located so that students don't require a 30+ minute bus ride to and from school. Improving access to education should be seen by the community as a major positive.
The proposed structure and address are ideal. The central location is completely appropriate and will be accessible from all sides of the village. The use of the park after school hours and on weekends is appropriate (though not completely necessary with the proposed sports hub on the other side of town).
The links between the primary and high school are good and the proposed upgrades to the primary school and library are welcomed. The upgraded community centre is needed, the current facilities are dated, cold and inadequate.
The design of the school is wonderful and modern. Repurposing the council chambers is excellent. This building is fairly redundant since the council amalgamation, a front face for the council could be housed in a much smaller building.
The social impact statement seems accurate, some short term negative aspects in relation to access to facilities, which is reduced over time.
I anticipate that the construction will cause inconvenience while it occurs and there will be an adjustment for the community in relation to facility access and road changes, however the access to education in the local region outweighs these inconveniences in my eyes.
Combined with the new children's park and the sports hub, these works ensure that residents of Bungendore can centre their lives around the local area.

I support this project for a number of reasons which include;
With the proximity to the ACT, the Bungendore Region will be expected to grow at rates similar to Murrubatemen near Yass NSW or Googong Township NSW if given the chance.

For a number of years, a number of ACT schools accepted Bungendore students. But this no longer the case as they are now full in their own catchment areas.
After observing children leaving home and return from High School on bus transport into either Queanbeyan or the ACT, many of these children are leaving Bungendore between approx. 0700 - 0730 and returning home approx 1630 - 1730. This creates a very long day for children and places additional stress on them to complete any after school homework and reduces important outside activity to create resilient balanced teenagers into young adults.
With children myself (ages 10 & 6) we have noticed that the numbers in the existing Primary School often contract in the years 4-6 and many of the Bungendore families realise that they don't want their children travelling on buses up to 3.5hrs per day particularly when it's only a 30min drive to Queanbeyan NSW or Dickson ACT. And so families end up moving back into Canberra ACT. This creates a transient society where those who can't afford real estate in ACT left feeling unsupported and creates a lack of community feel where their children are missing opportunities that others in ACT would have by the 3-4 hours per day wasted on Bus transport. The predominate mix of people who end up living in Bungendore become young families and older retired couples. There is a gap in this community and a High School would help fill this and promote an inclusive community, one that supports not just young families or older retired couples but those in critical years raising children into young adults. This high school would also promote further outdoor sports programs which would utilise the new Bungendore Sports hub which is pivoting off the proposed High School development and ultimately jobs.

The proposed High School plans provide a fantastic location to revamp much of the tired infrastructure in the Swimming Pool and Mick Sherd Oval areas. With the amalgamation of Council jurisdictions over the past 10 years to create the QPRC, the new proposed High School would a great use of a potentially under utilised asset of the Bungendore Council chambers building.
At the moment swimming carnivals and activities are currently limited when using the existing Bungendore Swimming pool as this is an unheated 25m pool with very limited facilities. Children are often required to travel to train, participate & compete in formal swim progams in Queanbeyan. With the replacement of this pool (to be replaced at the Bungendore Sports Hub), then this would allow Bungendore swimmers to undertake their activity in a larger standard sized pool and take pressure off Queanbeyan Infrastructure with greater oppatunities here locally in Bungendore. This would also promote jobs in building an Official Swimming Club & Lessons.

There have been concerns expressed with members of the community about areas of the existing Mick Sherd Oval area being lost. I believe that the proposed plans for the Bungendore High School will actually utilise this space much better more efficiently.

Over the past 11 years of living in Bungendore it is reasonable observation that during school hours the area of Mick Sherd Oval is extremely underutilised and is occasionally used by the existing Primary School for short duration outdoor sport education activities by external providers. It should be considered with the High School development that good care, maintenance and irrigation programs be budgeted and jointly funded between the DOE and QPRC for it’s upkeep due to the increase use and traffic when the High School has been constructed.

Recently, there has been EIS information come to light by the Department of Transport regarding soil samples nearby to the proposed High School containing Lead. It is understood that further testing is being undertaken and the scope of testing widened due to this proposed development. My view is that even if further Lead is found at unacceptable levels within the proposed development area, that remedial reclamation works would be required regardless of this High School project and so should continue regardless. This may delay the delivery of the School but for peace of mind to ensure the safety of growing children then this is a small price to pay for the ongoing success of our community. Doing nothing in this case would be more damaging.

Currently, there is earth works being completed to the Northern area of Elmslea Estate to make space for an approved development ‘North Elmslea’. This development is set to make available somewhere between 300 – 400 residential lots which will increase the demand for children to continue their schooling in Bungendore and attend a nearby High School. If there is any comment to provide on this, then I would recommend that the DOE consider what plans might be for the next 10 -20 years growth, proposed land rezoning and development given the speed growth in areas such as Googong Township.

If COVID-19 has taught people & businesses anything, its the ability for people to work from home and this has seen many people want to from urban centres into more regional areas like Bungendore. This in turn also drives the need to have supporting facilities in towns like Bungendore which in turn reduces commuting back and forth between ACT and NSW. Its a win win for for Bungendore Community for years to come by having a High School constructed now.

In saying this, the proposed site is central to Bungendore village, allows shared facilities between the existing Primary School, outside and above low lying flood areas, provides multiple access / egress options and good mustering space during crisis & emergency situations. The proposed site has access to all essential services like water, sewerage, gas, electricity and telecommunications. In my opinion its a great site if growth is considered. All other options would delay this much needed project by 5-10 years for a Town which desperately needs it and allow families to actually be established and flourish.

No one in the community is arguing against Bungendore needing a high school. The argument against the current plan seems to be one of location. I personally believe that the location is perfect: in town, close to recreational facilities such as a soon to be upgraded public playground and the Bungendore Tennis Club, next to current bus stops, and next to the Primary School. Our community is lucky to have the option of co-located primary and high schools and the benefits this provides to parents and students. The school and its facilities are well-designed with scope to expand.

In response to specific objections to the plan as I understand them:
- Mick Sherd Oval - the community still has access to Mick Sherd oval sports sheds and facilities at all times and the school won't impact on community sports fixtures, particularly as they are generally out of school hours
- Bungendore Pool - the pool requires major works to stop chronic issues with leakage. A larger, heated swimming pool will be built at the new sports complex with money provided by the NSW Department of Education to compensate (this means that swimming recreation and competitions will be available all year, rather than the current short season)
- Street closure - it is not a large imposition to drive one block
- Car parking - extra car-parking will be created in areas that have minimal residential housing. Current car parking facilities will be improved
- Community centre - new community facilities will be provided as part of the build so we will not be losing those facilities
- Dog park - the dog park is being retained as designated, there will just be a fence identifying its boundary between the high school agricultural plot
- Scout Hall - as far as I can tell, the current Scout Hall car park will be given to the Abbeyfield project. However, there is currently ample parking across the street with more parking planned.

Please proceed as quickly as possible so that we can get this high school built. Thank you.

I am objecting to the proposal to build a high school on Bungendore's central and only town park. This park has been in the hands of the local community since the 1880's and is managed by our council. It is disrespectful to our towns folk for our council and the Department of Education to take our beautiful park and surrounding community buildings for the purpose of building a high school. Apparently the proposed school will have a capacity of 400-450 students. This is grossly undersized as the population of Bungendore is increasing under our councils plans. The location that the proposed high school is to be constructed on will not accommodate the increase in the number of students in the near future. What then, take what is left of our town park after this development for any future extension? Our community should have a purpose built high school to cater for the needs of our children and to provide a quality education. The proposed high school should be located on an area that has plenty of room for expansion and is not congested. It should be located on an area that does not steal resources away from the community.
The planning Department had found a location that was suitable, ticked all the boxes and were eager to go ahead with this site at Ashby. At the last minute the Education Department decided that our town park was the preferred site, having previously decided against it. Why the change of heart?
Our town park is not a suitable location for a high school, especially when there is another location that would be more fit for purpose. The heart of our town is it's historic park, not a few concrete two story buildings that will end up being a blot on our landscape.
Please rethink this decision and save our park.

I strongly object to the NSW Government Planning Industry and Environment
Exhibition of State Significant Development Application SSD-14394209 New High School in Bungendore.

I object for the following reasons:
Bungendore Park and the adjoining Common across Turallo Terrace, is Crown Land that is dedicated for public use and recreation. This area is used non stop by locals, visitors, ceremonial parades, military and other groups. You’ll take it and offer what?
The site is limited for a high school of 450 students and won’t be fit for purpose in a few years. The current site doesn’t allow for projected population growth outside the village and within the catchment area.
The Park and the Common will cease to be a site for community use and recreation. People move to villages for the country feel, for the community. How can this community grow with the loss of heritage village spaces to come together?
The Social Impact Assessment of the proposed site stated,
“It will have a low positive impact on the community.”
There are many other sites that would allow for growth. The claim that there are no other suitable sites is completely untrue. Contracts were prepared for early works and access deeds by DPIE for Ashby, just outside the village confines, but were suddenly halted and a rushed, ridiculous, unplanned announcement heralding Bungendore Park site was announced. Land immediately to the east in a was offered and dismissed as were other sites for spurious reasons; “no infrastructure” when there is a new housing development on the other side of the road, or “flood prone area” when the area has never flooded in living memory!

The sudden announcement to close Majara Street, a vital thoroughfare from Elmslea Estate to the Railway Station and Kings Highway, between Turallo Terrace and Gibraltar Street, to provide extra land for the high school was made without any community consultation or feasible traffic studies. This closure will undeniably lead to traffic congestion, parking problems and safety issues at the drop off point between the kindergarten/preschool and high school.
The almost total disregard by the Department of Education and School Infrastructure NSW for honest and open engagement with the community in the planning phases, and any understanding of the location and history of Bungendore village and the changing demographics with new, planned and future housing developments adjacent to the village, including surrounding farmlands and settlements, did not inspire confidence in the attention to detail in the early planning stages.
There is ZERO evidence that the State Government consulted “stakeholders” of the Mick Sherd oval, the Community Centre, Swimming Club, and St Mary’s church, owner of the kindergarten/preschool property. The outcome of the two Information Sessions at the primary school Hub, and the on line questionaires claimed that there was overwhelming support for the high school. Again - absolute lie! We need a school but not at this site, however in when we said we support the high school but object to the site, our vote was counted as a pro high school vote. The whole process was an insult. Community questions were dismissed or disregarded. The questionnaire presented as if the high school on Bungendore Park was a given. The chance to question and contribute was denied as were any objections to the site. Similarly letters went unanswered or at best received a cursory response.
The demolition of community facilities such as the swimming pool complex and the Community Centre, and the restrictions imposed on community use of Mick Sherd oval during school hours, 7.30am-6pm, with proposed 2.1m fencing around the school buildings, will have a huge impact on the nature, character and use of Bungendore park. These facilities were the result of community fundraising initiatives and efforts.
A town oval that doesn’t allow full access? Again, in small towns you can’t just remove important facilities without impact.
Both “the Common” and Bungendore Park, are on Crown land. It is evident that this has not been considered or addressed in the acquisition of land for the high school complex. The high school plans to subsume a large portion of the Common for agricultural plots and sheds, and possibly parking. Majara Street road infrastructure between Turallo Terrace and Gibraltar Street will be demolished along with a street-scape of trees. The swimming pool and change rooms, storage shed, built of bricks from the mid 1800s, and the Community Centre will also be demolished. The Rotunda and Bush Balladeers stone memorial at the other end will be removed to another site. With this space, and land taken from the Park and Mick Sherd oval, three 12m high prefab buildings, a hall, a gym, library, canteen and administrative facilities will be constructed, buildings totally out of character with a heritage precinct of single storey stone, brick and timber buildings.
The heritage precinct around the park contains the core of Bungendore’s village history; Railway Station and railway cottages, School of Arts, original Primary School, PO, Court House, Cobb and Co. Stables, St Phillips Church, Old Catholic Convent, and heritage wooden cottages, all beautifully maintained; low set and built of stone, bricks and timber; a relic of Australia’s colonial history. The vistas to Mt Gibraltar will disappear. The scaled down replica of the Menin Gate War Memorial, build over 100 years ago, visited by tourists regularly and huge crowds on ANZAC Day and Remembrance Day will be overwhelmed, and suffer because of limited access and parking. The Social Impact Assessment of the high school on Bungendore Park almost got it right; “a low positive impact on the community”.
The loss of 73 mature trees that transformed a “windy, flat, dry and dusty treeless wilderness” in the late 1970s into a pleasant area for community use and recreation by both tourists and locals alike will be replaced by fenced school buildings, out of character with a heritage precinct.
Recently it’s been discovered the railway corridor and adjoining areas at Bungendore Station are lead contaminated. Surely you can’t disturb soil and build a school on contaminated ground?
The site is too small. In the planning docs it said the site HAD to be minimum 4acres to allow for growth. This site (even with demolition of nearby facilities, buildings etc) is 2.9. How was that approved???
Think objectively - why would anyone choose to build on a site that isn’t fit for purpose, is too small, has buildings on it, has access issues, that the community will fight, that has lead contamination and that won’t fit all the local kids? That has crown land, traffic issues, heritage issues and that the community DOESNT WANT. Why would you take our pool, our oval, our roads, build carpark and bus stops on quiet local streets when you could build a brand new, fit for purpose, big enough, suitable school on a site that’s available, assessed as suitable and actually endorsed by the community?
There are other options; why wouldn’t you choose one of those?

Please don’t ruin our town. You have options here.

Hi, thank you for your hard work on the new high school. I am looking forward to the new high school arriving and hope to be able to support the new high school community of teachers, staff, and students. When it is possible, I wish to enroll my children whom will be able to attend on the opening year of 2023.

I object to the proposed plan to construct a high school in Bungendore’s heritage area. My submission lists my major concerns.

Very keen for the high school. Just saying yes because I don’t want 3 no voters to stop a good project