To whom it may concern please find my submission and objection
Re: Application Number
SSD-14082938 - St Philip's Christian College, Charmhaven.

I have been a resident of the Central Coast for 32 years (since I was born).
During this time I have seen significant growth and development on the Central Coast, some for the good and some for the bad.
I believe this proposed development is non beneficial and “bad”.
My reasons being the following.

The Northern end of the central coast has seen rapid development in recent years, particularly along sparks road where the bushland has been decimated and was once a wildlife corridor connected to the “A track” where the proposed development is. Forcing the displaced wildlife to utilise the “A track” as home. Where will the wildlife end up once the “A track” is destroyed ?.

The number of calls to wildlife rescue organisations and observed roadkill has been higher than previous years.

The Northern end of the Coast has little natural bushland that is available and accessible for nature walks.

With 13 schools in the area and limited natural bushland I believe the preservation of the central coast flora and fauna and the critically endangered, endangered and threatened species
which are in the footprint of the proposed development is more beneficial for the people of the Central Coast then another school. It is significant for the state and the Central Coast to not have this school built when you also consider the current state of the roads in the area in regards to both traffic volume and road condition.

The benefits on peoples mental health through connecting with nature is evidenced by many health health professionals, journals and even the department of planning and environment “ Connecting with nature is so important as it improves your mental health and connection to place. Australians have endured a lot recently - drought, bushfires, and a global pandemic – and we need to connect with nature now more than ever”

https://www.dpie.nsw.gov.au/our-work/programs-and-initiatives/urban-greening/everyone-plant-one/mental-health

The 2021 census statistics for mental health
On the Central Coast also shows that 11% of residents suffer mental health conditions.

Mental health condition (including depression or anxiety) 37,984 11.0 %

https://abs.gov.au/census/find-census-data/quickstats/2021/LGA11650

With low socioeconomic suburbs, limited resources and accessibility to mental health support to residents in close proximity to the “A track” bushland,
I believe those residents who can no longer utilise the bushland for recreation will be a further risk on developing or contributing to mental health issues on the northern region of the Central Coast.

I understand many other community members are opposed to this development also and have legitimate concerns they will express.

I can only hope that the concerns of the community who live ,work and utilise the area are listened to.

Kind regards,
Jessica Fancett

My points of concern/ objections are as follows:
The developer has not made contact with me as an adjoining property owner to discuss the significant impact this will cause to me and my business. There are a number of us that have trucking companies on the western side of Arizona Road. We are here because our business is not suitable for the suburbs. Kids and trucks do not mix.
Has the developer contacted the Rural Fire Service or So Cares Animal Facility to discuss the impact of 2000 kids and the additional traffic that will bring to the currently quiet neighbourhood? Have you actually noticed that many of us have horses here (many are ridden locally)?
Does the developer know that this area is flood prone? And if they are considering building up the site – that will create additional significant drainage issues to the surrounding properties. This is what happened when Wyong Council approved Woongarrah Waters to be built and we are still dealing with the issues (as well as the incompetent council).
How will this proposed new development interface with the Wallarah Creek as well as the significant flooding next time we have a downpour of rain? What precautionary measures will the school developers take to ensure the creek is not polluted?
Flora and fauna is still in recovery mode after the 2019 Bushfires. I’ve been informed that some are endangered. These need to be preserved. The developer needs to be held accountable for the relocating or re-homing of the wildlife at the very least.
In short - I love where I live and don’t want it destroyed any more than it already has been by development. I enjoy listening to the birds, watching the kangaroos come through. Listen to the gliders and micro bats each night – the frogs as well during wet weather. Seeing the possums at night and even the tawny frog mouths.
I firmly believe that further discussions need to take place with the current adjoining and surrounding landowners before this development goes any further.

This land holds living space too wildlife and it’s a shame to have it all taken down. RESPECT THE TREES

Concerns have been raised by our Wyong depot in regards to the following once the school takes on students, the activity at the intersection of Chelmsford and Arizona Rd will become an issue due to the following.
• Late out the gates
• First Trip OTR
• Safety departing the depot
Is there plans to upgrade this intersection to cope with additional traffic

State Significant Development Application ( SSD-14082938 )


Location Arizona Road, Charmhaven (Lot 2 DP 809106)

Applicant St Philip's Christian Foundation Ltd

Council Area Central Coast

Consent Authority Minister for Planning and Public Spaces or Independent Commission


-https://www.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/major-projects/projects/st-philips-christian-college-charmhaven

Submission regarding Private School Charmhaven

As a resident of the Pacific Highway Charmhaven since 1974 I strongly OBJECT to the proposed building of the new school. I believe this will devalue my property especially as the school grows and the traffic problems increase.

I have seen the traffic prior to the freeway and after and have never seen it as bad as it is now.
It is difficult to leave my property onto the Pacific Highway particularly from about 8.00 am to about 9.30 am and again in the afternoon around 3.pm to around 6.pm. The traffic on the Highway is so dense that it takes up to 5 minutes to join the traffic. In the morning going North on the Highway the traffic is banked up right through to Doyalson and the reverse in the afternoon.
As long as there is a single lane bridge over Wallarah Creek there will be massive traffic jams.

Accidents occur frequently and although many are minor, there have been some fatalies. There is little pedestrian traffic at present but if the school is built that would substantially increase and we would see pedestrian accidents as well.

The drawing area for this private school would cover many of the new subdivisions as well as
older areas such as Gorokan, Toukley and Wyong. The public transport Hub is at Lakehaven Shopping Centre where many of the students would then proceed on foot to the new school having to cross the busy Highway at the Lakehaven Drive and Pacific Highway intersection. If according to the submission it is that students will come up to the Highway then walk down to cross at Jetty Avenue, then they do not know students well. They will cross the quickest way to get to their destination.

The bushland opposite was always a haven for wildlife, flora and fauna. There are so few areas such as this left locally. We need to protect our environment not demolish it.

I believe the best place for this school would be near the Warnervale Town Centre. There would
be transport, buses and trains. There are also large subdivisions of housing currently under construction in this area. If they were to extend the roads to meet the link road to Doyalson
it would reduce the traffic on the present highway.

I realise that another educational institute may benefit the area, but the present site is not the answer as the sacrifice of the bushland, the creation of enormous traffic and pedestrian problems would be detrimental to our community of Charmhaven.

St Philip's Colleges are recognised around the Central Coast and Newcastle so it is not unimaginable that the shift of the site slightly west would not still achieve jobs, student support, Aboriginal/ Torres Strait Islander support. This would also include Early learning and DALE areas within the school precinct.

I was informed of this proposed development months ago by letter. I have NOT received by mail any further notifications. As a member of the older generation, I do not rely on the internet for notifications of such things.

It was word of mouth that I find that there is a "Public Exhibition " of these plans. Then I found it in a local newspaper publication which is available at some places if one chooses to pick it up.

Public Exhibition is then "ON THE INTERNET", not at local Council where one can view a three-dimensional aspect with surrounding properties. Not everyone from my generation has access to the internet so this proposal is discriminating against people without access to the internet.

A public hearing on this proposal should occur as soon as possible.

I am unable to view this on the Inernet. Plans amendments and other documents are not able to be viewed by me. I am able to use the Inernet for other things without any trouble.

I Strongly OBJECT to the proposal.

Walking in to ‘the A track’ at Lot 2 DP 809106 Arizona Rd Charmhaven, I was immediately struck by the unusual vegetation communities, the ecotone offering a unique combination of structure, form and colour that I had never seen before (nor have I since). Though there were heavily degraded areas the remnants were stunningly beautiful, and the heathland was in excellent condition. Here was something really special. It was apparent to me that the overlap in resources here would offer excellent habitat quality for small Australian fauna (my specialty, as an ecologist) – from dense heathy patches, to open areas, to the sturdy vegetation structure provided by the low-statured Angophoras. Though I only visited once or twice the memory has stayed with me and I am not surprised by the discoveries being made by passionate locals: secret threatened orchids, squirrel gliders (disappearing from the central coast), and tree species that are unique to place; not found anywhere else on the planet. We must not deny future generations gems like this.
The proposal suggests the destruction of over 20 hectares, which spells the end for the ecological function and long-term sustainability of the larger bushland patch. The mitigation of ecological damage (as stated on page 227 of the EIS) claims that the development is situated to minimize the need for vegetation clearing. However, based on my experience, a large-scale development like this typically triggers rapid degradation of the surrounding environment. There is seldom genuine protection of remnants or proper follow-up.
As an example, consider the Supercentre at Belrose, NSW, 4-6 Niangala Close which was constructed on the fringes of critically endangered Duffys forest vegetation. The remaining patch has now deteriorated significantly and become overrun with weeds. Moreover, a substantial area has been legally cleared as part of an asset protection zone. Similarly, the residential land development at Green Point on the central coast impacts the bushland of Kincumber Mountain Reserve, resulting in physical harm to native vegetation, invasive weed species, and erosion.
I would also like to argue against the inference made by the applicant that the cleared areas impacted by vehicles devalue the land in terms of biodiversity. Firstly, this land will have excellent resilience and would regenerate strongly if given a little assistance. Secondly, small fauna is often benefitted by mosaic patches of dense structure adjacent to open land (e.g. Chambers and Dickman, 2002). Orchids can benefit from clearance of surrounding vegetation as well (Lunt et al 2006). Thus the whole patch should be seen as high biodiversity value.
If our biodiversity protection laws and international obligations (Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016, Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, World Heritage Convention) cannot safeguard this land, which:
* shelters and provides a habitat for so many endangered species, including Angophora inopina, (which has a range is limited to this very area and is a species under immediate and tangible threat),
* represents a unique combination of vegetation communities, (one of which is itself threatened),
* has significance as a crucial wildlife corridor,
*as well considering the backdrop of swift development in the surrounding natural landscape - then we, the public, cannot place our trust in these mechanisms. The profound importance of this bushland, on multiple fronts, cannot be emphasized enough. Though I'm not a local, I am deeply personally invested in the preservation of this land.
Government has a clear duty under local, national and international law to preserve this utterly unique and beautiful patch of land.
References: Chambers, L.K. and Dickman, C.R., 2002. Habitat selection of the long-nosed Bandicoot, Perameles nasuta in a patchy urban environment. Austral ecology, 27(3), pp.334-342.
Coates, F., Lunt, I.D., Tremblay, R.L., 2006. Orchids and disturbance; Effects of disturbance on population dynamics of the threatened orchid Prasophyllum correctum D.L. Jones and implications for grassland management in south-eastern Australia. Biological Conservation, 129(1), pp.59-69.

I object to this project on the grounds that it would result in the clearing of bush land that is the last remaining Scribbly gum ecosystem on the Central coast and contains numerous threatened species such as angophora inopina and critically endangered orchids. It is also habitat for the critically endangered Swift Parrot which has been sighted on this land.

The northern Central Coast has been cleared to an enormous extent and this is pushing many species to the brink of extinction because there is very little habitat left for them to live in.

There is no need for a large new school in the area - there are plenty of schools in this area already.

If a school is really needed and research can prove there is demand, then site it on land which does not contain bush land and endangered species.

There is also very poor public transport in the area so a school there would result in increased car traffic and local pollution.

I would like to submit an EOI for Labour Hire works on this project

I am against this application.
This land should not be rezoned from c2 to allow a educational facility on it.
This site is one of the last vegetated buffer zones in the area and is a biodiversity hotspot for vulnerable, endangered and critically endangered flora and fauna.
Why is the planning system enabling destruction of natural areas that are essential open spaces for people to recreate within the area responsibly.
We already know the environment is under threat and we are in a biodiversity crisis. So why keep enabling it when federal and state reviews into the environment show are wildlife are under stress.
The biodiversity act is failing the very things it is supposed to protect.
The Environmental Planning an assessment act is clear on what esd is, but this development is not sustainable and has no strategic benefit for the community, even though the application submits it is.
Destroying nature to build a school that is supposedly be a Environmental school is ludicrous, hypocritical and irresponsible.
The bdar and Eis have deep flaws in them, Destroying the last known ecological communities and saying they will be offset is complete stupidity. With increasing urbanisation where is the wildlife left to go, how many holes in trees will be created elsewhere for birds and mammals. Where can humans connect with nature for there physical and mental health?
There is so much wrong with this development that I could make a 100 page submission on its flaws, disregard for intergenerational equity, protection of biodiversity and true ESD. Who ever makes the decision on this development should look past the spin about its so called strategic merit and invoke the precautionary principle.
This development will Trigger the EpBc act with its critical endangered orchids and vulnerable tree species.
Further ground truth ing studies on the existence of the florist's make up should take place rather then depending on outdated desktop studies.

It would be a real travesty is this land is carved up and concreted.

Yours Sincerely
M.Ellis.

Please see attached letter.