Submission SSD-10473 – Marist Catholic College North Shore
This submission is provided by the Body Corporate of XX XXXXX XXXXXX North Sydney NSW 2060 and supports the shop owners between Miller Street and West Street. We are in broad support of the proposal although have some concerns as indicated here. We do not agree with the “the Residents X, Cassins Avenue North Sydney” assertions the “..we ask why it is not simpler to use the existing Ridge Street …..entr[y]” because of the immense disruption to the proposal such a change would bring.
The residents of Ridge Street wish to bring to your notice that we are not in any way aligned with a submission concerning SSD-10473 from “The residents X, Cassins Avenue North Sydney” which may indicate otherwise.
Indeed, whilst there are elements within the Marist Catholic College North Shore SSD-10473 that would give us concern as follows, the proposal, in the sense of progress must proceed, is robust and would seem appropriately structured given the constraints of the site from a project management viewpoint:
• Introduction of an auditorium seating 1528 with additional parking for only 71 cars seems to lack logic as the parking currently immediately available is at overload now.
• Any forcing of local traffic into Ridge Street due to construction traffic movements in Miller Street and Carlow Street during the school drop-off and pick-up times will create increased havoc to traffic flows between West Street and Miller Street and higher risk of accidents to children on foot during these periods.
• The following two paragraphs reproduced from the Traffic Management Plan fail to emphasis the marked difference between the functional usefulness of the streets due to the reduction in width of Ridge Street to accommodate the two-way bicycle way – effectively 2.5m and sufficient reduction to make it impossible for a refuse truck or school bus and a car to pass safely. This is important because of the notion raised by the “The residents X, Cassins Avenue North Sydney.” Suggesting construction traffic should be redirected through Ridge Street.
• The Traffic Management Plan fails to identify that street signs have been quite scurrilously moved between Ridge/Miller Street and Carlow/Miller Street. That is, a “No Entry - Limit 3t” sign has been moved from Ridge/Miller Street and re-erected on the corner of Carlow/Miller Street – perhaps to work in favour of no construction traffic into Carlow Street and therefore no entry to Cassins Avenue. Similarly, with no weight limit in play on Ridge Street any longer, the same proponent of the weight limit for Carlow Street appears to have thought the placement of two signs (one on each corner) at Ridge/Miller Street indicating “No Left Turn – Vehicles under 9M Excepted” would allow construction to enter Ridge Street from Miller Street.
The following two paragraphs are extractions from an excellently prepared Traffic Management Plan that is part of the submission accompanying SD-SSD-10473. The plan does not address the turmoil that Ridge Street small to medium business enterprises and private owners/residents have been subjected to over an extended period in support of North Sydney Council efforts to support the St Mary’s Church since 2018 because of construction disruption caused by:
• A dedicated pedestrian crossing for the St Mary’s school children – two complete iterations of the design and construction of the crossing.
• The construction of the two-way bicycle way east to west along Ridge Street between Miller Street and West Street, and
• The expansion of the St Mary’s Primary School by way of the demolition of the residence at 34 Ridge Street and construction of handsome two-story school.
Carlow Street
2.2.2 Carlow Street Carlow Street is a local road, aligned in an east-west direction between Miller Street and West Street. This road travels along the northern boundary of the site. It is generally configured as a two-way road with two traffic lanes and kerbside parking, across a 11.7 m wide road carriageway (kerb to kerb). It has a posted speed limit of 50km/h, with 40km/h school zone restrictions that apply between 8:00am and 9:30am and between 2:30pm and 4:00pm Monday to Friday.
Ridge Street
2.2.3 Ridge Street Ridge Street is a local road, aligned in an east-west direction between Miller Street and West Street. This road travels along the southern boundary of the site. It is configured as a two-way road with two travel lanes and kerbside parking, across a 9.3 m wide road carriageway (kerb to kerb). In addition, a bidirectional separated cycleway is provided along the northern side of the road. It has a posted speed limit of 50km/h, with 40km/h school zone restrictions that apply between 8:00am and 9:30am and between 2:30pm and 4:00pm Monday to Friday.
Summary
We believe that, in general, Application No SSD-10473 should proceed, however, objections raised that seek to have construction traffic redirected to Ridge Street should be rejected as fraught and disruptive. Further, the apparent scurrilous behaviour by person or persons unknown to alter street signage to meet claims raised to redirect construction should be immediately reversed and action taken as necessary to ensure such behaviour is prevented in future serious significant development applications.

Graham Selkirk
Owners Corporation
XX XXXXX XXXXXX
North Sydney

I am the occupant of XX XXXXXX Street. We are right next door to the proposed development. The closet neighbour of the development. The development of the Marist Catholic College site is necessary. Especially, if the school is to maintain it valued contribution the North Sydney community since 1888. New times require new facilities if Australian education is to keep up with world trends. Especially in providing co-education for Australian girls. I recognise that any construction, especially so close to us will affect us, both during construction and when the building is in service. We accept this as a necessary contribution to the services that will be provided for young people. College leadership has reached out to us and to the community for many, many months. Going forward, I am confident in the good faith of the leadership to listen to, appreciate, and take into consideration the concerns of the schools neighbours. I support the development.

I’ve just moved into to XXXXX in North Sydney to avoid the construction noise/vibration/disruption on Pacific Highway / Berry St related to new transport and building infrastructure.

Worth works neighbouring one of the most quietest and suburban locations within North Sydney, it is unreasonable to permit construction activities on the weekend, particularly during the construction window proposed on Saturday. Therefore, I request a reconsideration of any weekend works and limiting it as far as practically possible.

Re: Marist Catholic College Redevelopment, 270 Miller Street, North Sydney (SSD-10473)
Karl Penn
XXXXXXXX
North Sydney
NSW 2060

Planning,
My wife and I are on the eastern side of XXXXXXX and have a clear and uninterrupted view of the school, and directly face the proposed development site.

We understand the redevelopment of the Marist School is a necessary part of the strategic plan in this area, but the plans do indicate some issues that will negatively impact the lifestyle of our community, and will also potentially directly impact our day to day lives, during development.

On previous occasions we have had the need to contact the school re excess school noise and inappropriate language in the playground area. In addition, last year we raised concerns with the school regards scheduling of the extended roof structure that was built, which involved literally weeks of noise and disturbance during school holidays. This development included removal of natural habitat too but the day to day impact on our lives was almost unbearable. This was a much smaller scale than the one now proposed.

Re SSD-10473 – It is a substantial development, involving major noise and disruption over many years and we are objecting to the development on the basis we have received no clarification and or assurances re the following:

1. DEVELOPMENT PLAN
The plan details that an extra 71 parking spots will be built for the Stage 1. 5 story building. However the second stage includes development of a second 5 story building with a 1,500 capacity amphitheatre. There is no reference to how vehicle movement and parking will be managed. The area is already under existing high parking pressure, with limited available space, and Councils recent reduction of available all day parking, combined this already takes its toll on both local businesses. The school needs to have a plan for parking that corresponds with the increased traffic movement.

2. TRAFFIC
The planned change of exit/entrance (and drop-off points) on Carlow Street will channel all school traffic onto this minor 2 lane (+ 2 parking lane) street. Carlow Street already becomes clogged during school drop-off times with the 4 other schools in the immediate vicinity. We ask that the Ridge Street or Miller Street entrances be considered.

3. CONSTRUCTION PLAN & NOISE IMPACT
The previous school development work referenced above was limited to weekends and school holidays. We are neighbours to the school and we all live in a high-density area of working residents. We are seeking assurance that the school will schedule work to share the load with its neighbours by avoiding weekend as often as possible but with a minimum guarantee of at least 2 weekends in 4 being designated ‘work free’. Where work is undertaken, limiting start times to 9 am, not 7 am and pre-warning the residential community of upcoming works so we have opportunity to plan too. Where possible, to maintain schedules, and share the impact and disturbance plan work in school times when practical.

4. ENVIRONMENT
The recent roof extension resulted in (what we believe) was un-notified tree removal on the school grounds including removal of a very large, very old Palm Tree where rosellas and flying foxes used to gather. Doing so in a covert manner damages the reputation of the School. There should be transparency on the plan to remove additional trees and how the impact to loss of natural habitat will be mitigated with planned replacements.

We understand this development is seen as necessary progress, but it cannot be allowed to progress without greater consideration for the residents in the area who will have to cope with a very long period of disruption and disturbance.

Yours sincerely,
Karl Penn

Please read the attached submission below 19 March 2021:

As a resident and owner of a property located on XXXXXXX, I have the following concerns on the proposed development as currently planned:
1) Traffic - the increased student intake numbers and proposed entry location, which is on Carlow Street, would add further pressures on the already severely congested streets, including Carlow Street and Miller Street.
2) Parking - the proposed parking building only have 71 extra parking spots, which is disproportionate to the size of the expansion of the school precinct which includes but not limited to a 1500 seat amphitheatre. Without more parking being proposed, it will diminish the existing amenity for residents and local business as well as visitors to St Leonards Park and North Sydney Oval.
3) Noise and Privacy - the open roof top and the balconies which face towards the backyards of several townhouses located on Carlow Street and Cassins Lane will fundamentally reduce the privacy currently enjoyed by the residents living in these townhouses and also will increase noise levels during school hours, especially given that a large proportion of the residents living in the neighbourhood are retirees, who will stay at home for most of the time, or working professionals, who will be more likely to work from home as a new norm in the post-COVID era.

For the above reasons:
1) I oppose the expanded precinct developments as currently planned;
2) I request that the Minister for Planning and Public Spaces direct that a public hearing be held in relation to this development;
3) I request that improved traffic and parking solutions and alternatives be proposed; and
4) I request that the proposed open roof-top space and balconies be removed from the plans to limit additional disruption to the noise levels, privacy and general amenity of neighbouring residents.

Kind regards
A Local Resident

Reasons for Objection (issues raised herewith relate only to Carlow St)

See attached