New High School in Bungendore

FORMAL OBJECTION to SSDA - 14394209

I have had a long association with Bungendore. I lived there between 1980 and 2000. During this time I was active on Bungendore Community Aid Committee and the Swimming Pool Trust. My children attended the Bungendore Primary School and I worked at and managed the Bungendore Wood Works Gallery. In 2014, I purchased 60 Duralla St Bungendore and have lived there on and off over the past 4 years. It is now my permanent home.
I am very familiar with proposed location for the new high school. I regularly walk my dog around this area. While I support the construction of a high school in Bungendore, I strongly feel that the current site selected for the proposed Bungendore High School (BHS) is inappropriate for the following reasons:
1. The Loss of Bungendore Park
Bungendore Park is a large well treed area that accommodates the Mick Sherd Oval, the swimming pool, tennis courts, childrens play ground and public toilets. All these communities are well utilised by residents and visitors to Bungendore. The proposed development would result in the removal of the oval and swimming pool and the loss of trees. Given that these occupy approximately two thirds of the current park area the Bungendore Park will be greatly diminished. The ambience of this central recreational area in the village will be lost forever.
2. Loss of Community Facilities
Five existing community facilities will be demolished and the planned aged care units will have to be relocated in order to built just one new facility, the high school. The loss of their multi purpose Community Centre, the only oval in the village and the swimming pool that was built after years of local fund raising is a big price for the Bungendore residents to pay for a high school that could be readily located at a more appropriate site.
3. Traffic Chaos
Turallo Terrace and Majara Street, on the north and east boundaries respectively of the Bungendore Park, are busy feeder streets to the Elmslea Estate. The proposed development will impact significantly on traffic flows along these streets. Majara St will terminate at its intersection with Gibraltar St and its traffic will have to divert down Gibraltar St, a semi commercial area, and into the adjacent residential streets. It will then feed into Turallo Terrace which will have its traffic flow impeded by the proposed narrowing around the planned pedestrian crossing. The end result will be severe traffic congestion in the immediate and surrounding areas. This congestion will be severely intensified at opening and closing hours of the existing primary school and the proposed high school.
4. The Inadequacy of the Proposed Site
The proposed site is too small to adequately accommodate the proposed high school. At 2.9 hectares, it is 3 acres smaller than required by the State Government’s minimum standard. Students will have to cross a busy road to access the playing fields, putting themselves and the motorists at risk. There will be no room for expansion should the population of the Bungendore area expand as predicated. Designed to a accommodate up to 450 pupils, the Education Department has estimated that it will need to accommodate 480 pupils within 3 years and 570 within 10 years.
5. Availability of Alternative Sites
Several other potential sites have been identified. Residents have offered to donate land that would be suitable for a Bungendore High School. The suitability of these sites need to be fully investigated and the Bungendore Community needs to be informed of the results of these investigations.
6. Conclusion
For the reasons outlined above, I think that the proposed site for the Bungendore High School is unfit for purpose and the construction of the BHS on this site is harmful to the functioning and ambience of the village. Consequently I am making this formal objection to SSDA- 14394209.
Yours sincerely
Kathleen Maher
Street Address Withheld
Bungendore
NSW 2621

I support the current plans and position for the High School in Bungendore. The creation of a education precinct will provide the opportunity for our children to receive a quality education without spending hours a week on buses. As a parent whose child is hoping to attend, as well as a NSWDoE employee at the local school and local resident I support these plans.

Thank you for the opportunity to provide feedback on the proposal for the New High School in Bungendore.

Personally, I think the site chosen is fantastic. I’ve listed the main attractions that I think make the site a great choice:

• Located near the primary school
o Possibility for sharing facilities and resources between the primary and secondary schools.
o Higher standard of facilities not currently available to the primary school.
o Easier transition for students between primary and secondary school.

• Traffic mitigation in the education precinct makes it safer for students attending the existing primary school and preschool.
o Majara St is currently a main throughfare. Drivers using Majara st often don’t follow the speed limits. Diverting general traffic down Butmaroo St means that only school and train station traffic will be in the precinct.
o Roundabouts at the Majara/Gibraltar St intersection and the Butmaroo/Gibraltar St intersection will slow traffic entering the education precinct.
o The reduced speed limit on Turallo Terrace during school hours will benefit the preschool which is located opposite the new high school site.

• Moving the public library.
o I have never been comfortable with the public library being on the primary school grounds, moving it to the high school is great.
o Moving the public library frees up much needed space in the primary school which can be utilized for learning.

• Use of existing and new facilities for the community.
o Limiting access to Mick Sherd Oval to only outside of school hours will have little impact on the community who currently rarely uses it during school hours.
o Community gaining access to additional sports facilities (out side of school hours) such as the gym and basketball courts.
o Community gaining access to the hall for performances and events.

• The existing community center is run down and not fit for purpose, having a new center will provide immense benefit to the community.

• Additional services and improvements to the primary school, such as the new oztag field and amenities.

The only thing I’d like clarification on is the amount of parking that will be available to the primary and secondary school. For example, in earlier drawings increased parking was shown at the train station. Will this still be happening? At present there isn’t a lot of parking on that site and people tend to pull up anywhere on the gravel as well as grass areas – it’s actually quite dangerous. If this area was properly developed at least 3 times the number of cars would be able to park there.

I am writing to provide comments in strong support of the proposed site of the new public high school for Bungendore. I have been a home owner in Bungendore for the past ten years and I am the parent of a 13 year old boy who currently catches a bus each day to attend high school in Queanbeyan. I work in Bungendore, teaching at the local public school and I strongly support public education. The proposed site for the high school is excellent as it is close to the primary school and in the centre of town, making good use of the existing infrastructure, allowing for a fast build and commissioning of the new school. The facilities and grounds of the new school look excellent and the works proposed for the primary school are very welcome. The new public high school means additional learning opportunities for the children at Bungendore Public School, with particular advantages for students in Years 5 and 6 to access a middle years program and ease their transition to secondary. The sooner the option for a local public high school is available to families in Bungendore, the better. I fully support the proposed works and site for the new high school in Bungendore.

I strongly object to the NSW Government Planning Industry and Environment Exhibition of State Significant Development Application SSD-14394209 New High School in Bungendore for the following reasons:
1. Location - the site is public land in the heart of the village that will impact access to train station, Kings Highway and the Public School for residents (especially those in Elmslea). It will decrease the size of the oval and public access to it. The park and adjoining oval are vital village amenities with no alternative if taken by the high school. Not to mention the loss of the public swimming pool! To propose a new sports hub outside of the village to replace our existing amenities is ludicrous, especially when council haven’t the funds for a pool in Phase 1 of the hub! Also, it’s just been announced that the adjoining railway and train station are contaminated with lead…not a suitable location for a new school.
2. Site - the site is too small for a high school and allows no room for expansion. The current rate of population growth in Bungendore guarantees there will be a need for expansion (and likely room for demountables when student numbers inevitably increase). The site also eats into the much used public dog off leash area.
3. Lack of community consultation.

NEW HIGH SCHOOL IN BUNGENDORE APPLICATION NO. SSD-14394209
I refer to the above state-significant development application.
The Bungendore War Memorial Committee (BWMC) as custodians of the War Memorial (located on the south side of the Mick Sherd Oval/Bungendore Park) wish to lodge the following objections to components of the High School State Significant Development application:
1. The timber post and top rail fence
2. The Kiss & Drop and Bus Drop Off
It should be noted that the BWMC has no objection to a High School in Bungendore, but we do strongly object to the proposed fence as indicated in App 4, App 5a, App 5b and App 9.
1. The timber post and top rail fence
The location of the fence, as indicated in the drawings, is adjacent to the northern edge of the memorial gardens. During ANZAC Day commemorative services the general public use this area to participate and to witness the service. A fence in this location would not allow the public to easily congregate in this area. It is noted that the fence is an 'intermittent timber post and top rail fence' however with a large crowd assembling such a structure has the possibility of limiting movement of the public in this space and the visual line of the fence would likely be lost therefore presenting the potential for a serious trip hazard. The pictures (in the attachement) show the crowd assembled on the northern side of the memorial in the area where the fence would be located according to the State Significant Development for the school.

Additionally, Remembrance Day services are conducted on the northern side of the memorial with those attending being seated and standing on the grassed area adjacent to the memorial (see pictures in the attachement). A fence in this location would impede the set-up of chairs and the flow of participants to the service and again present a significant trip hazard noting that a large number of those attending these services are advanced in years

In App 4 - Architectural Design Report - N Response to GANSW Discussion and Comments – 7. Fencing, page 81 which states 'SINSW have conducted significant stakeholder consultation to develop a site security strategy that is both safe and welcoming to the school and wider community'. At no time has the BWMC been consulted in respect to fencing, in fact meetings held with both the Department of Education, School Infrastructure Planning and the Hon John Barilaro's electorate office indicated that there would be no fence impeding the area of the memorial. The BWMC specifically asked for reassurance on this matter and outlined that the commemorative services utilise this area.
Additionally, further on in the 7. Fencing, page 81 it states that the 'new intermittent timber post and top rail fence' will have 'large openings between, and new removable timber bollards adjacent to the soldiers memorial'. The BWMC has reservation on who is expected to remove the 'removable timber bollards' and the quantity. The committee is also concerned about potential safety trip hazards from the removal and storage of these bollards and whether the resultant holes will have safety covers while the bollards have been removed.
App 5a – Landscape Report – D Landscape Design – 12. Fencing Plan page 25 and App 5b – Landscape Drawings – D Landscape Design – 12. Fencing (BHS_LA_SSDA_2007) indicates these removable bollards but does not give any specifics to height, number etc.
App 9 – Social Impact Assessment 6.3. ACCESS TO OPEN SPACE AND RECREATION FACILITIES, Page 25 indicates that the low, top rail style fence is a management measure to address the community use of the Mick Sherd Oval/Bungendore Park during school hours. Clearly, the social impact of the fence has not been addressed in respect to ANZAC Day and Remembrance Day commemorations, considering the large numbers of people in attendance. Additionally, the assessment has not taken into account the safety aspects inherit by a low fence in an area that has been and will continue to be used by the public during commemorative services at the War Memorial. Again, the BWMC were not consulted in respect to the social aspects noting ANZAC Day is of considerable significance and possibly more so in Bungendore due to the large Defence and ex-Defence community.
With the proposed changes to the area on Gibraltar Street immediately in front of the memorial, the proceedings on ANZAC Day may have to be rearranged to accommodate all the participants, mainly those support groups such as the Pipes and Drums Band, RFS, SES and ADF Cadets. This may result in some of these groups needing to march onto and form up on the northern side of the memorial. The proposed fence would preclude this as the only removable part is a small section in front of the memorial. The fence has a clear impact on any future modifications that the BWMC may need to make to the ANZAC Day commemorations.
The Catafalque Party on Remembrance Day will be marching on to the memorial and back from the northern side and will need sufficient space meaning that the removeable section will need to be sufficient to allow manoeuvring by the formed bodies.
Further at page 24 of the Social Impact Assessment states that the Mick Sherd Oval/Bungendore Park will be 'used exclusively by the Department of Education during school hours under a joint use arrangement. This will result in a loss of public recreation access during much of the day on weekdays'. This essentially means the Remembrance Day ceremony cannot utilise any part of the Mick Sherd Oval/Bungendore Park area beyond the proposed restrictive fence between 10 am to 12 pm (to enable set up, ceremony and strip down) as this day is not a public holiday and not always a weekend.
2. Kiss & Drop and Bus Drop areas
Finally, the BWMC also has concerns on the location of the proposed new kiss and drop area which is indicated in App 4 - Architectural Design Report - D Masterplan Proposal – 2 item 16, page 26, as it is extended to the front of the memorial which is currently a no stop zone. If this space is to become a drop-off there is the potential for litter to be dropped and become entangled in the memorial gardens.
Further if the area directly in front of the memorial is set as parking zone outside of the kiss and drop times then this would impact our access for set-up and pull-down on Remembrance Day and ANZAC Day. Additionally, on ANZAC Day, if someone decided to park there for the day this would have a catastrophic impact on the commemoration. It is imperative that the area directly in front of the memorial and gardens remains a ‘no stopping’ zone out of kiss and drop hours.
Additionally, App 5a – Landscape Report – D Landscape Design – 3. Circulation + Access, page 13 indicates that the main bus bay will be directly across Gibraltar St from the memorial. Again, this has the potential for litter to be dropped and ending up in the memorial gardens. The BWMC also would like to think that students will respect the memorial and gardens and avoid using the smaller memorials in the garden as seats and also avoid trampling through the garden itself as they move around the area noting they have access to the Mick Sherd Oval as part of the school area during school days.
I have not, and no associate of mine, has made any political donation to any person in the 2 years preceding this submission.
Yours faithfully,
Rob Allard
Secretary
BWMC

The proposal is to create a much needed resource in a location which makes excellent use of existing resources, including synergies with the nearby public school. The central location of the proposed school makes for greater safety for students, particularly when located near the local police station. While the school will take over the oval and swimming pool and adjacent parts of the park, what is proposed will be an improvement over what is there now. The current pool is too small, unheated, uncovered, leaks and is only barely usable for about 3 months of the year. A new, improved pool at the sports hub has been promised, funded in part by money from the State for this site. The pool buildings are unsightly and not in keeping with the beauty of the area. The current community centre is old, ugly and not particularly functional. A new community centre has been promised. The pool and community centre will be replaced by school buildings. I do not believe that the heritage aspect of the area will be further diminished by removal of these unsightly facilities and replacement with modern buildings, particularly if there is adequate planting of trees. The current council chambers and most of the current public school buildings are not heritage buildings.
The oval currently is used very little during school hours, except by the public school, which will get a refurbished oval of its own under the proposal. The proposed fencing for the oval is similar to what is used in many town ovals and the oval will still be available to the public out of school hours. With the exception of the poets corner, which will be relocated, there will be no impact on the other park facilities. Traffic and parking can be managed.
There has been some very vocal opposition to the proposal from a small group of people who appear to be influenced by 'not in my backyard' considerations (ie they live close by and don't want more traffic or people passing by), or by political considerations, or by the possibility of advantage to developers by having an alternative school location. There is a large majority who want this school in this location, as soon as possible. Please let it go ahead for the families in Bungendore and surrounding areas.

I object to the proposal, as the site proposed for the high school is completely inappropriate. Bungendore needs a high school fit for the future, not a botch job that will deprive the students of the historic heart of their town.

The details of my objections are as follows:
Firstly, the site is extremely cramped. As well as being 2.9 ha rather than the 4ha recommended by the state for high schools, the site is hemmed in by:
• a railway line which is so close that it has restricted the design options of the school, and where significant lead contamination has been recently identified (in a process independent of the school development)
• an adjacent floodplain and creek which causes one of the main access roads for the school to flood regularly
• new sports amenities buildings constructed for the use of the whole community
• the high-traffic highway used by Canberrans to get to the coast.

Bungendore community is growing fast, with many young families moving into the area. The above restrictions mean that there is nowhere for the school to expand to service the growing community with even a basic education, let alone to provide specialist or enrichment facilities.

Secondly, the school is overtaking the park that forms the heart of Bungendore. Bizarrely the DA states that Bungendore Park has little heritage significance, and suggests that “The high school site is generally isolated from the town and neighbouring buildings….” The writer of the DA clearly does not live in Bungendore or they would be aware of the central role that the Park plays in civic and social life in the town, a role that is not duplicated by the other green spaces on the nearby floodplain, and a role that is essential to the identity of Bungendore. Bungendore Park has been the centre of social and civic participation in Bungendore since the 19th century, as is evident from the fact that the town constructed its memorial to the dead of World War 1 in the Park, and that this Memorial has continued to record the town’s contributions to subsequent conflicts and peacekeeping missions, and is the focus of the annual ANZAC Day Dawn Service, Parade and Day service and the Remembrance Day service. The centrality of this space to civic life is also confirmed by the building of two generations of Council buildings on the proposed site of the school.

The importance of the Park to social life in Bungendore is demonstrated by the fact that the Park is the centre of an historic landscape, surrounded by the original historic buildings of the Post Office, Primary School, Police Station, Convent, Convent school (now the preschool), and the historic station buildings, including the station itself as well as the station master’s and signalman’s houses. The Post Office, Police Station, Primary School and Station are all still used for their original functions, providing evidence of the continuity of intangible heritage in the area – the continuance of original social activity in place. Adding the high school to this grouping would be a nice match with the other schooling facilities, except that the cramped nature of the site means that the high school buildings and functions will dominate and obliterate the historic relationship between the suite of town services that are represented by the historic grouping.

The play park, BBQ area, football fields and tennis courts have been, and continue to be, constantly used by townspeople and visitors for recreation, exercise, walking dogs, stopping for comfort and food breaks, and to attend community markets, parties and other events organised by both the Shire Council and other organisations. These amenities have proved particularly valuable in the COVID pandemic, providing a destination for people from all over the town to walk to and use at any time of the day. A cramped space physically hemmed in by the school, and restricted to out-of-hours availability will not fulfil these functions. The restrictions will erode the usefulness of the Park as a centre for the community, and without a gathering place the community will fragment. We will become a collection of separate estates rather than a community that feels itself to be a connected and caring whole.

A number of other sites have been suggested for the high school, which have more space, are less affected by flooding, do not affected significant historical values, and are not central to Bungendore’s identity and community welfare. I am firmly committed to the future students of Bungendore having both a lovely town Park, with all its historic connections and sense of place, and a wonderful high school, with lots of space for growing ambitions. We need both these things – just not on the same tiny site.

I object to the placement of the High School which requires the loss of our pool and sports ground, both of which are situated in an easy to access part of town for both adults and Primary school children. It is a much safer area for traffic. The "new"sports center is on the other side of an already very busy road with the prospect of an increasing volume of traffic, as one new estate is being built and another, with several hundred proposed houses, in the near future. I am a resident of 33 years and am very proud of all the work done by past Councils and the residents to our present Park, tennis courts, pool, sports ground and surrounds, I would deplore the loss of this wonderful resource.

This is as great project for Bungendore, and I fully support the location and plans proposed for the new high school.

I believe this proposal will benefit our community in Bungendore as well as bring brighter futures to our children's education. Having a central school hub makes so much sense for safety reasons and ease of accessibility for everyone involved. We are a growing community and with it we need improved and updated infrastructure. I whole heartedly support this proposal of a high school and look forward to seeing it move ahead. Thank you

I fully support this project, and it’s proposed location.
In fact it can’t come fast enough. Unfortunately I have 2 boys with dyslexia and learning challenges who would benefit greatly from a highschool in Bungendore. They were even picture in the former Deputy Premiers announcement campaign. Unfortunately it’s taken too long for this project to get off the ground and now they will be too old to attend - missing out by a year - if the school only caters for 7/8 in the initial years.
Please hurry and build this school, and please consider opening it 7-12 on day 1.
And please ignore the “Save the Park” - they don’t speak for the majority of the town.
Kind Regards
Dave Hartog

I would like to know what years will be able to attend in the first year e.g. years 7-10.
I would also like to know how the name for the school will be selected. In consultation with Tyronne or Wally Bell, I'd like to suggest a Ngunawal name, such as Ngungara, which is the Ngunawal name for Lake George. I think Weereewa is a Wiradjuri name, however Bungendore is in Ngunawal country. This would help build knowledge of Ngunawal cultural heritage and respect and pride in shared values of learning.

I object to the proposed site for the high school as it will result in a significant loss of amenity for the town, including impacting on the oval, war memorial, existing swimming pool, train station, scout hall, and other surrounding services.

Closure of a street used to a significant extent will adversely impact surrounding streets, which coupled with increased traffic at peak times due to the proposed site of the high school will pose safety risks for the surrounding facilities including the pre school, primary school, residences and other facilities. These safety risks will be significant for the children using the pre school, primary school and high school.

There will be limited ability to have parking available.

The size of the proposed location is not sufficient, noting it is already smaller than the minimum required for other high schools, and does not have the ability to accommodate future growth for the school to meet future demand for the town and surrounding areas.

As a long time resident of Bungendore, I believe the town deserves so much better, a site that is an adequate size, has the potential to accommodate future growth as required, and that does not detract from this existing amenity and historical nature of the town - this will all be irreversibly damaged by the proposed location for the high school.

The proposed site is not fit for purpose. Any proposed site and building of a high school should be properly planned, fit for purpose, and not negatively impact on existing community assets and roads.

I do not object to a high school being built in Bungendore, but I do strongly object to the proposed location for the reasons stated above.

The proposed location of this project is extremely problematic. It will overtake a historic public park/oval in a town with limited central green space, cause major traffic issues, and devalue the town itself by removing already limited public infrastructure. The school, should it proceed, will be far too small for a growing population and will require significant extensions within a few years (and the only place to viably extend towards is further into the public oval/park). Teaching and learning will be impacted by space shortages.
It is ridiculous that in a growing town with ample other suitable locations, the decision should be made to build the school on one of the only remaining green spaces within the historic town centre.

The new high school will be great for the community and has been needed for a while. As a local community member who has grown up and lived in Bungendore area for over 30 years and seen the growth of the town and local area, greatly supports the location on where the new high school will be built. The existing council building and park/footy grounds needs to be used for this great project, given that Bungendore is in the process of acquiring new and improved sporting facilities at a better location. This will also further support the new and younger generations coming to live in Bungendore and local area.

As a parent with children in the local public school, I think these plans look fantastic and the proposed high school will be a valuable asset to our community. I understand that a noisy minority of people in town do not want this proposed high school to go ahead but from all conversations I have heard throughout town, at the IGA and whilst enjoying the local parks, the vast majority of locals seem to think this is a brilliant location and they hope to send their children to this high school in the future.

The "Save Our Park" group have caused a lot of fear and division in our community through their personal attacks on those who do not agree with their point of view. I would encourage any planners to ignore these NIMBYs as they use misinformation and fear to try and spread their message.

I support the project to build the new High School in Bungendore in the location that has been proposed. My wife and I have two daughters at Bungendore Primary School and we have been worried that we will have to send our kids to High School in either Queanbeyan or Googong. As a regular user of the Kings Highway, I am concerned that delays to the project will inevitably lead to more students traveling to and from school on the highway which would increase of traffic and the potential for car accidents. I have a business and residence near the school on Gibraltar Street and I am not concerned with increased traffic or the perceived loss of amenities due to the school. The planning of a new sports facility should provide the town with new and improved sporting grounds and a new pool and improvements to the existing park look fantastic.
Some residents have raised concern about the proximity of the school to the cenotaph which I see as a positive rather then a negative. Students will be able to learn, remember and commemorate those who have sacrificed there lives for this country. Seeing the Bungendore Primary Student talk at the ANZAC day commemorations fills me with pride and opening that opportunity up to the High School students can only be a positive outcome for the town.

Sophie Davis
Street Address Withheld
Wamboin
NSW 2620


17th October 2021


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

The proposed site for the school is inappropriate. Firstly, it is in a space that is limited to increasing capacity. Bungendore and the surrounding regions are growing exponentially and it is safe to assume that there will be increasing numbers of young people in the area that are of high school age. I am at a loss as to why such a restricted site has been chosen while more and more housing developments are being approved. There is already limited outdoor space with the proposed project and, I assume, for the school to expand it will need to then build on this little area of outdoor space. In the age of increasing health implications of people doing less physical activity I strongly believe that young people need to learn and live the experience of sport and outdoor recreation.

The site is in the heart of the heritage area of Bungendore. Personally I value this so much as someone who has lived in the area my entire life. I have seen how important this area is to the community. The loss of the pool in the town is devastating. As a child I needed to find friends with pools to learn how to swim. This pool was built with community funds and provides a hugely important facility for people to learn a life skill and to come together as a community in the summer months. I have little faith that a replacement pool will actually be built.

I have concerns about safety with the proposed changes to roads and traffic in the area. There will be a significant increase in traffic through Turallo terrace and Gibralter street and many people using verges to park on. This poses a risk to children crossing both these roads, particularly as the cross across Turallo terrace to what would be the only recreation area in the actual town.

I think the loss of communal area around the the War Memorial is a huge wound for the community. I don't think I need to go into the importance of the War Memorial but this is a massively important and significant site for the community whose relations have given their lives for the world that we are fortunate enough to live in.
I am not opposed to a high school. I have children aged 11 and 8 and a local high school would benefit my family greatly. I have heard of two other sites that were offered up and sound more logical and appropriate for a high school, one of which I am led to understand is being offered to the Department of Education for FREE. I don't believe there was an appropriate level of community consultation prior to the current site on the park being chosen.

Please don't take this important heart of the Bungendore community away. Please consider selecting a different and more appropriate site for the school and performing due diligence with community consultation.

I have not, and no associate of mine, has made any political donation to any person in the 2 years preceding this submission.


Yours faithfully,

Sophie Davis

I object to the project for the following reasons:

Bungendore Park is at the heart of Bungendore. Surrounded by heritage buildings and part of Bungendore's history since settlement. It is valued by many residents as the only open and recreational space in the village center. Its loss would be a blow to the village's character, heritage value, and community amenities.
The potential traffic problems are worrying. The traffic congestion at some times of the day during school days is already troublesome. The parking of cars is not adequately accounted for. I see no planning for the many student cars which are anticipated for high school students, especially for those from out of town. There should be no additional parking outside the site on streets or at the railway station.
The site is crammed and does not allow for the anticipated expansion of the town and area. Other sites are more appropriate and from what I understand are available.
These sites, including the park and commons are local community land and should be considered so, and should remain so, and not be a tool for political aims by remote persons or councils.


Joseph Swartz