I strongly object to this plan. The infrastructure is not in place to support such a big expansion. The traffic in the surrounding areas are back to back when during the school drop off and pick up. The roads are not made for the sheer weight of traffic that this expansion would create.

Subject: Privacy/Traffic/Other Concerns Regarding Malek Fahd Islamic School Expansion

Dear Dimitri Gotsis

I am writing to express my concerns regarding the Malek Fahd Islamic School Expansion application SSD-56264716, which directly impacts the privacy and enjoyment of my property as well as other concerns as stated below:

Loss of Privacy:
The proposed structure significantly overlooks my backyard, compromising the privacy my family and I like to enjoy on all days of the week. This proposed construction will leave us exposed and uncomfortable using our outdoor space Monday to Friday.

Visual Impact:
The proposed two-storey blocks is an imposing addition to the neighborhood, and its proximity to my property will drastically alter the visual aesthetics. The structure does not blend well with the surrounding environment, making it an eyesore just as the demountables do for my front yard.

Noise and Disturbance:
The proposed extension will result in increased noise levels, causing constant disruption to our daily activities. The noise is particularly disturbing during the day.

Potential Property Devaluation:
I am also concerned that the proximity and visibility of the new block may negatively affect the value of my property. The loss of privacy and visual impact could be deterrents for potential buyers in the future.

Increase in Traffic:
The current school already creates congestion on Mungerie and surrounding roads with parents/caregivers ignoring the road flow designs put in place and drive over existing private driveways just to get their child to school. This is only going to get worse with the school expansion.

Non-compliance with Planning Regulations:
I believe the construction may not fully comply with local planning regulations. I kindly request a thorough review to ensure all guidelines are being followed and to address any potential breaches.

I would appreciate your prompt attention to this matter and look forward to your response.

Thank you

The peak hour commute / school traffic and car parking in the Beaumont Hills area is already very bad as it is now, the Malek Fahd Islamic School Expansion will make the already bad peak hours traffic horrendous. Our roads just can't cope with this expansion.

Another major concern I have is the Malek Fahd Islamic School Expansion (which is huge) is going to bring an influx of islamic-faith students / people to this area, which is going to change the sociodemographics of the current Beaumont Hills community.

Our roads already experience heavy traffic congestion, and one can only wonder how crippling a project of this size would be to this community?
This area would turn noisy too!
Indeed, a development such as this could only bring about devaluation of properties in the area.

The traffic is already congested and we don’t want loud music in the neighbourhood.Also the house prices will go down and we will be crowded. We love the peace and quiet of our neighbourhood. The expansion is too big and does not fit the streetscape of Beaumont hills

I drive through this area regularly and during school hours the traffic is grid locked around the school. People get aggressive and road rage regularly. It's not creating community. It's creating division.

To smaller suburb for such a large project
One way road in and out already congested and a busy area during school periods
Difficult to get in and out of Beaumont Hills onto Withers road and traffic is already horrendous
I am worried about students safety and cars increasing danger due to the safety of the street it resides on
A building of that magnitude will look ridiculous in our beautiful suburb

I strongly support the expansion of Malek Fahd Beaumount Hills as it is a great need of my community.

Lots of students can not be enrolled to the school because there is no space for them

I support the refurbishment process and expansion of the school as well as the parking area. That will help include more students without interruption of the neighbours, and will keep the traffic smooth.

As a resident of Beaumont Hills in the vicinity of the Malek Fahd Islamic School, I object to various elements of the above State Significant Development Application. The application as it stands should be rejected. When I moved into the area it was St Gregory's, a small primary school of 40-60 students but after Malek Fahd School took over it has grown since then. Whilst the school has an existing right of use with reference to this site, the proposed dramatic increase of student enrolment is not in keeping with the intention of R2 zoning, nor with residential expectations for this local area. Compared with the Greenacre Campus which is located around business development and local centre zoning. This is not like similar local schools, such as Rouse Hill Anglican which predates surrounding residential development. Finally the majority of students at Malek Fahd travel from significantly out of area and are by and large not residents of Beaumont Hills.
With this in mind these are the key areas of my concern.
NON-COMPLIANCE
The land on which the school is build is zoned R2 Low Density Residential. Under the 'State Environmental Planning Policy Amendment (Bella Vista and Kellyville Transport Oriented Development Precincts) 2024 (Height of Building Map)' the maximum allowable height for our area is 10m. The proposal of a 21m tall prayer hall is in fragrant contradiction to this rule, and should be rejected immediately. Council's LEP states "The height of a building on any land is not to exceed the maximum height shown for the land on the Height of Buildings Map" and does not provide avenue for exception.
TRAFFIC AND PARKING IMPACT
At present, the streets around Malek Fahd are a disaster at school pick up and drop off times. They are busy, often at a standstill, and are unsafe for emergency vehicles etc. The Traffic and Parking Assessment (appendix 9) suggests that this will be mitigated by providing pick up and drop off services on site, being accommodated into the underground car park. However, the Design Report (appendix 5) makes clear that the underground drop off and pick up area will only accommodate 35 cars. The idea that a school's enrolment can increase to 1340 students and 124 staff from 704 and 41 staff, and only provide 35 spots for drop off and pick up, whilst simultaneously lowering the traffic and parking issues on the streets is illogical. This proposal for drop off and pick up is implying a solution for the issues that I already endure during these times, which will not happen and will only increase in greater volume should this extension be approved. The primary issue at present is people parking on surrounding side streets, blocking driveway access and disregarding road rules, especially at pick up and drop off times. I believe this will not change with the provision of these extra underground spaces. Our local streets are narrow, and when this sort of parking is happening, street access currently is difficult enough as it is without having a doubling of enrolment.
VISUAL IMPACT
The most concerning change to visual impact is the 21m tall prayer hall which would dominate the landscape for the surrounding area. The tower is more than double the approved height limit and the proposal's own Visual Impact Assessment (appendix 8) shows this in its photomontage looking south from Honeyeater Crescent. I also note that there is no photomontage from the East of the block, where (owing to the proposed soccer field and open space) the prayer hall would be most visible. In the photomontage looking NW across Mungerie Rd, the exact spot has been chosen such that the prayer hall is obscured behind the tallest trees on site. Going another 10m up the road would show the prayer hall to be obvious. Finally the prayer hall would be blindingly obvious for residents not at ground level (eg. looking from a 2-storey balcony). I feel that these are deceptive measures taken by the planners to make the prayer hall seem less of an inappropriate sight. Even without the prayer hall the development takes the form of a 'tabletop development' with nearly the entire site being taken up by 2 or 3 storey buildings. Where at present, the school is a smattering of buildings with clear sight lines, the new design resembles more so a block that obscures horizon views from every direction especially with the properties which are on the perimetre of the school such as Honeyeater Crescent. This tabletop development has a disastrous effect on the visual impact for surrounding residents, and is not consistent with the overall density or character that is typically associated with R2 zoning of Beaumont Hills. Ultimately the suggestion in the EIS that the proposed development improves the amenity of the built environment is not acceptable. This development will not improve the amenity of the built environment.
SOCIAL IMPACT
The Social Impact Assessment (appendix 24) in the report where the opinions of the planners are the least cognizant with the opinions of local residents. The conclusion of the assessment in section 6.4.2 suggest that, owing to the "potential community uses" of the site and the opportunities for "enhanced engagement" ... and "community interaction" the development will have a "high positive social impact". This is not the experience of those living in the community. The current spaces of the school are not available to the local residents and it is highly unlikely this would change post development. The school as it currently operates does not enhance community engagement or interaction, and there is no reason to suggest that an expansion to the school would do this especially with the presents of security guards. The change to the way of life of the local area including changes to the community's (quoting from the report) "composition, character, cohesion and function, and sense of place". The concerns of residents, while recognised in the report, are cast aside without further discussion. This point requires a thorough objective examination by HillPDA Consulting and the proposal should not be granted consent until this occurs.
ACOUSTIC ASSESSMENT
I am not anti-development with regards to the ongoing noise associated with a school which is to be expected with children playing at lunch times etc at a usual amount of noise. However, quoting from page 51 "The location and design of the Public Address/Bell system has not been undertaken at this stage". Consent must not be allowed until this work is carried out particularly with reference to the on-site minaret. This is of particular concern from an acoustic perspective. It is assumed that there will be a speaker at the top of the minaret, broadcasting the Adhan especially as in the documents reference 5.1/2023 Stage 5 Development it is labelled as a mosque. Until the design of this speaker is known and specification is provided as the the extent of its use (ie.,during school times/days only or outside of school times/days, the acoustic assessment must be considered incomplete and a decision cannot be made.
CONSTRUCTION
I fully understand that there is expected to be noise/traffic/dust issues etc. during construction, however, a 6 year construction period seems excessive and would cause disruption beyond what could be considered normal. Referring back to existing traffic issues.
USE OUTSIDE OF SCHOOL DAY
Simple put, we can find no evidence in the report to suggest the site (especially the Prayer Hall/Mosque) will be in use on weekends and in school holidays, effectively functioning as a normal mosque. Until this is determined, I cannot come to a proper conclusion on several aspects of the site. My thoughts are that this is a school for school purposes only. This information needs to be provided to Beaumont Hills Residence before development consent is granted. It needs to be transparent.