Submission Cover Letter – Hudson Vine Mixed-Use Redevelopment (SSD-70066710)

Dear Council Officers and Planning Assessment Panel,
We write as long-term residents of Vine Street in Redfern, directly opposite the proposed development site. While we are broadly supportive of thoughtful urban renewal, we are deeply concerned that this development, in its current form, will make it extremely difficult for local families to function due to the severe and permanent reduction in available parking.

We recognise and support the City of Sydney’s ongoing efforts to reduce car dependency in the inner city. We have made personal commitments to this goal: our household owns a single compact vehicle, which we use sparingly — primarily for school sport and essential errands. However, the reality is that some car use remains necessary for family life in Sydney.

This development is permitted to include up to 45 car parking spaces under council guidelines. It provides just 23 — barely 51% of the maximum. The developer has informed residents that no further parking was possible within planning limits, but that is demonstrably not the case.

We purchased our home — which has no off-street parking — trusting that the City would balance the needs of residents, businesses, and growth through its own policies and controls. We believe that trust is being eroded.

We are not objecting to the development itself. The architectural design is sensitive. We appreciate the developer’s efforts to consult with local residents. We are willing to endure construction impacts for long-term community benefit.

What we object to is the way the Traffic and Parking Assessment attempts to downplay the real, cumulative impacts on our streets:

- The Environmental Impact Statement highlights over 700 new jobs created, and the Operational Management Plan forecasts 750–900 people onsite at peak times.
- Yet the Traffic Assessment predicts this will result in just 11 vehicle movements per hour during peak times.
- Why? Because their calculations are based only on the number of parking spaces provided — not actual building usage or realistic transport patterns.

This is misleading. In today’s urban context, traffic generation is driven by a mix of car share, delivery services, rideshare, and service vehicles. The fact that parking is underprovided does not mean traffic will be low.

In addition, diagrams in the submission misrepresent existing street conditions. For example, several show five on-street spaces on the south side of Vine Street — but there are only three usable spaces in reality. Occasionally, four compact cars squeeze in tightly. Five, never. These discrepancies erode confidence in the rigour of the report.

As local residents, we understand that private consultants like Varga Traffic Planning are paid to advocate for development approval. But council must serve the broader public good — and in this case, the public interest is not being served by underestimating the true impact of this development.

We therefore respectfully request that council and the Department of Planning consider the following adjustments:

- Increase onsite parking to reflect the full allowable amount under planning controls.
- Commission an independent assessment that reflects realistic traffic generation from a development housing 900 people.
- Protect residential amenity by increasing resident-only parking availability in nearby streets.

We love living in Redfern. We welcome change, and believe this project can be a valuable addition to our neighbourhood — but only if the long-term needs of residents are genuinely considered alongside those of developers.

see attachment

The development proposal should consider the current road conditions on Moore Street. To ensure safety for all road users the dilapidated road of 'Moore Street' should be upgrade as part of the development. Refer to traffic impact assessment figure 6 for typical condition of road. Conditions to application to consider:
1. How will the new development stakeholders manage the dilapidated state of the Moore Street ? Would the stakeholders consider re surface Moore Street to ensure safe vehicle access for existing road users and new road users, upgrade line marking and establish set backs at T intersections to ensure clear vision of other road users when making a turn from Moore Street into Baker Street.
2. How will the new development stakeholders manage the existing and new traffic at the Moore Street and Baker Street intersection ? Would the stakeholders consider a traffic impact assessment and swept path and line of sign analysis for T-intersection of Moore Street to Baker Street to ensure increased traffic use and small and heavy vehicles can enter and exit intersection safely.

To Whom It May Concern,

I am writing to formally object to the proposed expansion of Malek Fahd Islamic School’s Beaumont Hills campus from 600 to 1,300 students. This expansion raises significant concerns related to traffic congestion, infrastructure strain, community cohesion, financial transparency, and local property values. Given the scale of this proposal, it is imperative that the council considers the substantial impact on local residents before making a decision.

1. Severe Traffic Congestion

The current traffic situation around the school is already unsustainable. The surrounding roads are single-lane in each direction, and what should be a 10-minute school drop-off or commute to work frequently extends to 45 minutes or longer. The proposal to more than double the student population will drastically increase vehicle traffic during peak times, exacerbating congestion and making daily commutes unmanageable for local residents and parents from other nearby schools.

While the proposal includes a car park with 147 spaces and a service road, this is unlikely to offset the impact of over 700 additional students, many of whom will be driven to school, given the lack of public transport options within North Kellyville and shuttle buses to and from local metro stations. Furthermore, increased traffic poses a significant safety risk to pedestrians and cyclists in the area, particularly young children.

2. Inadequate Infrastructure and Overuse of Community Resources

The Hills Shire’s infrastructure is not designed to support a school of this size as we’ve seen time and time again. Public transport options remain limited, and parking in and around the school is already a challenge, including trying to commute to other schools. The expansion will put additional strain on local parks, sporting fields, and other shared community resources, reducing access for local families who rely on these facilities. The long-term impact of increased demand on these spaces has not been adequately addressed in the proposal.

3. Lack of Justification for an Islamic School of This Size in the Hills Shire

The Hills Shire does not have a large Islamic population that would justify an Islamic school expansion of this magnitude. Additionally, the area is already served by Australian International Academy, another Islamic school located nearby. Given the availability of this alternative, the necessity of a second Islamic school expanding to 1,300 students within close proximity is questionable. The proposed expansion does not reflect the demographic or educational needs of the broader Hills community and may lead to an overconcentration of religiously specific schools in an area where demand does not justify it. Instead, invest in over populated public schools to support the growing population of North Kellyville, Rouse Hill and Beaumont Hills residents, including reputable high schools.

4. Potential Impact on Property Values

Significant expansions of institutional developments can negatively impact property values in the surrounding area. Increased traffic congestion, parking overflow into residential streets, and noise pollution are known factors that deter potential buyers. Many residents have invested in this area for its planned infrastructure and liveability, and the school’s expansion may undermine these qualities. Council must consider the broader economic impact of this project on the property market and local homeowners.

5. Financial Transparency and Governance Concerns

Malek Fahd Islamic School was initially funded through a $12 million gift from King Fahd of Saudi Arabia. In recent years, the school has faced financial scrutiny, leading to the revocation of federal funding due to concerns over financial management and governance. Given this history, it is essential to question whether the proposed $123 million expansion is financially sustainable and whether there has been sufficient oversight into the funding sources and long-term viability of the project. If past financial mismanagement issues remain unresolved, there is a risk that ratepayers may eventually bear the burden of supporting additional infrastructure demands without sufficient return on investment for the broader community.

6. Disruption to Nearby Schools and Residents

The increased congestion will not only affect local residents but also families attending other nearby schools, both public and private. The additional traffic will make school drop-offs and pick-ups more difficult for everyone, potentially disrupting zoning, public transport routes, and access to educational institutions that serve a more diverse student population. These concerns have not been adequately addressed in the school’s proposal.

7. Concerns Regarding Private Security Patrols

There have been reports of incidents involving security patrols linked to the school. While security is an understandable priority for any educational institution, the presence of privately operated patrols in residential areas raises questions about accountability, appropriate conduct, and the impact on local residents. Any expansion should be accompanied by a clear framework for how security measures will be managed to ensure they do not infringe on the rights or comfort of surrounding community members.

8. Impact on Beaumont Hills and North Kellyville Residents

The proposed expansion will significantly affect residents of Beaumont Hills and North Kellyville, areas already experiencing substantial traffic congestion due to existing infrastructure limitations. The local road network, characterized by funnel roads, is currently inadequate to handle the present traffic volume, leading to prolonged travel times and frustration among commuters. Adding over 700 additional students to the area will exacerbate these issues, making daily navigation increasingly challenging for residents.

Conclusion

The proposed expansion of Malek Fahd Islamic School presents serious concerns regarding traffic congestion, infrastructure capacity, property values, financial transparency, community cohesion, and the necessity of such a large Islamic school in the Hills Shire. The scale of the expansion is incompatible with the existing infrastructure in Beaumont Hills and North Kellyville, and the broader implications on ratepayers, residents, and local schools must be fully considered.

Without substantial, independently verified impact assessments and concrete plans to mitigate these risks, this development should not proceed. I urge the council to reject the proposal or, at a minimum, require a thorough review of the financials, traffic management plans, demographic demand for an Islamic school of this size, and community impact assessments before any further approvals are granted.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

I STRONGLY object to this project. This is a lovely peaceful neighbourhood and the expansion of this school will greatly impact that. The increase in traffic will be immense and The Parkway is already VERY busy as it is. Secondly, we DO NOT need this school to expand for any reason. Not too far down the road in the north kellyville, the other islamic school is expanding and adding a car park. Now through their expansions we are suppose to be happy with being over run with a group of people whose beliefs DO NOT line up with our western culture. No. Jewish Australians who are a peaceful people are living in fear and with the expansion of this islamic school and others that will only increase.
Beaumont Hills is a small quiet suburb already surrounded by a few schools like Beaumont Hills Public School, Ironbark Ridge School, The Catholic School on Withers Road and Rouse Hill High School and ofcourse the islamic school. By allowing this expansion your department will be contributing and responsible for the degradation of our beautiful peaceful neighbourhood. Please DO NOT allow this expansion to go ahead. Keep our western culture strong by not giving opportunity for these building and expansion projects.
Kind regards,
An Australian Citizen who loves this Country and it's Culture