We are concerned about the removal of the mature trees on the current Marist College site.
The School has already damaged its reputation in the neighbourhood by cutting down a huge, very old Canary Island Palm on its grounds last year. The Palm attracted dozens of rosellas and flying foxes too.
The development faces the iconic North Sydney Oval where the North Sydney Council recently added a small forest of mature palms. It also faces the graceful, historic St Leonards Park. Indeed, Carlow Street, and the entire neighbourhood is lucky to be very green. A (let’s face it) large, plain concrete and glass structure will look both out of place and ugly without any covering of trees. especially in the environment I just described.
We know that trees reduce heat, attract birds and other wildlife as well looking attractive. They would also make the school environment cooler, more attractive and pleasant for pupils.
You may have seen the major project being undertaken by the City of Sydney to plant trees in order to reduce heat:
https://amp.smh.com.au/environment/climate-change/sydney-plans-tree-planting-blitz-to-curb-heat-20210316-p57b88.html

According to the plan it seems that most of the trees – especially the large gum, mature Jacaranda (currently the pride of Carlow Street) and a number of other established trees on the corner of Miller and Carlow Streets are going to be destroyed.
Is it possible to revisit the plan with the objective of trying to save those trees?
If not, can you please replace the trees that you destroy with mature trees (not saplings).

Thank you for considering this
Jan and Rob Leonard

I welcome the redevelopment of the Marist Catholic College and understand the importance of this development for the future generation of our children’s education. However, the plans do indicate some issues that I feel will negatively impact the lifestyle of my community. Namely:

Environment - priority focus should be on the existing and future green space and not as an added afterthought. The removal of the very old mature trees should be limited and where at all possible saved or replaced with mature trees.

Traffic/Parking - as an already high density area of working residents, very high traffic volume and parking problems it’s concerning that only 71 extra school parking spots are planned for.

Construction noise - previous school development works were carried out after hours, weekends and holidays without notification or respite. It would be appreciated to get a pre-warning of upcoming works especially in view of the scale of the development. Thank you.

This is a substantial development, involving major noise and disruption over many years and including: the destruction of several buildings including terrace houses and the Day Care Centre; the construction of 2 new 5 story buildings, major underground excavation for parking, an amphitheatre for over 1,500 spectators, and the removal of old established trees. To minimise these negative impacts I request the following considerations:

CONSTRUCTION NOISE
Previous school development work was limited to weekends and school holidays. However, this is a high-density area of working residents now working from home, and we, therefore, ask that the school shares the load with its neighbours by avoiding weekend work when possible, using school times when practical, limiting start times to 9 am, not 7 am and pre-warning the residential community of upcoming works.

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 horrendously clogged during peak to and return from work as well as school drop-off times. Is there a plan to manage this traffic at peak times (eg. roundabouts at either end of Carlow Street), and I ask why it is not simpler to use the existing Ridge Street or Miller Street entries.

PARKING
The plan details that an extra 71 parking spots will be built for the Stage 1. 5 story building, but none for the second stage building which will includes a 1,500 capacity amphitheatre. The area is already under high parking pressure which takes its toll on both local businesses and residents. Is there a plan to manage the need for extra parking?

ENVIRONMENT
Tree removal – the reputation of the School has already been damaged by its removal last year of the large, very old, visually splendid Palm Tree used by rosellas and flying foxes. I ask which of the older established trees the school intends to cut-down and request that the loss of wildlife habitat be reduced by the planting of mature trees (not saplings) during construction.

Trish

I am most concerned about the five storey height of the proposed two buildings, the traffic congestion on Carlow Street and the felling of a number of trees . I am also very concerned as to the noise factor these works are going to create .

Construction noise should not cause undue inconvenience to the community just because this is a school. Previous projects have been completed on weekends and in school holidays to minimise impact for the school children, but this is unfair to local residents. In particular with the amount of construction taking place in this area, and due to increase massively due to the Western Harbour tunnel there needs to be some quiet time for residents as well.
The planned drop off / pick up in Carlow St is pure madness. The street is already blocked in peak school time - as someone who has parting in Tucker St, it's already impossible to access my parking during drop off and pick up times. This has become considerably worse since Covid, where now no one seems to want to get on public transport.
Parking plans do not seem adequate - with a 1500 seat auditorium but only an extra 71 parking spots this does not seem adequate
It is essential that the school commits to the planting of mature trees (not saplings) BOTH during and after construction. Their removal of the very old Canary Pine Tree was a travesty for the environment

The Marist College College development is far too expansive, in particular:
- The planned changes to the exit/ entrance are a real concern, Carlow and West Streets already experience significant school traffic with Cammeraygal , North Sydney Boys / Girls and Monte and Wenona local traffic. Currently, St Mary's Primary School enters via Ridge and exits in Miller. Retaining a similar plan would be far more considerate to the local residents. Carlow St would be a complete carpark if the entrance and exit were located in the same street.
- 5 storeys is out of character with the area and will change the outlook of this part of Miller st entirely.
- The removal of established trees should be reviewed and disallowed.
- how does 71 car spaces allow for the number required for a school this size?
- Construction should be limited to weekdays and after 8am - there is so much construction in and around Carlow St - we have had a train line dug directly underneath, there are extensive building works in the park with the new beaches link tunnel, there are numerous significant building sites in North Sydney affecting access to supermarkets and parking, existing school noise - it would be nice if some consideration was made to the residents

Nil Response attached

We are concerned about the substantial redevelopment of Marist Catholic College having a negative impact on the many residential homes in the area. Our concerns relate mainly to the traffic and parking.
There is already limited parking in the adjacent streets between Crows Nest and North Sydney. Many residential cottages rely on street parking and restaurant and business patron have limited options when trying to find parking in the surrounding area.
Whilst we acknowledge there will be an additional 71 parking spaces incorporated into Stage 1 of the building there is also a proposed amphitheatre with a capacity of 1,500 which pesumably will put added pressue on parking.
Should more parking be incorporated into the development ??
The proposed changes to the drop off points onto Carlow Street will also place added pressure on the traffic on Carlow Street which is also very busy for a residential precinct. There is already pressure on the surrounding streets from Crows Nest High School and the intersection between Carlow Street and West Street is at times very dangerous during school hours with the build p of cars entering and leaving Carlow Street. The pedestrian crossing at this intersection if of particular concern. Will traffic lights ben required to ensure pedestrian safety and the safe crossing of vehicles? The existing Ridge Street entry to Marist College is already in a mainly commercial precinct and with the Miller Street access also being continued to operate would combine to continue to work as preferrable drop offs.
Your consideration to our concerns would be appreciated.
Thank you