Malek Fahd Islamic School reveals bid to double student population as part of $123m multistorey development

A $123m expansion plan by a Sydney Islamic school has sparked backlash from residents who say the increase in traffic and noise could drive down property prices and leave them unable to ‘focus or relax’ in their homes.

Plans by a Sydney Islamic school to splash more than $120 million on a major expansion have triggered fears from nearby residents over noise, traffic congestion and impacts on “property prices”.

Malek Fahd Islamic School in Beaumont Hills could soon accommodate an extra 700 students as part of plans to more than double its student capacity from 600 to 1300 primary and secondary pupils.

The college is one of four Sydney campuses run by the Malek Fahd Islamic School which received $37.7m in Federal Government funding last financial year and generated $10.8m in student fees.

Development plans have revealed the expansion of the Beaumont Hills campus would include a three storey prayer hall and classrooms including separated secondary boys and girls teaching facilities.

There would also be a new library, staff meeting rooms, a wellbeing office, canteen and an early learning centre with space for up to 40 children.

A concept image of the expansion plan by the school.

Other features of the $123m development include the construction of a road to service a new on-site carpark with 147 spaces.

The Malek Fahd Islamic School – in plans for the project – say the expansion would address surging enrolment demand, partly fuelled by population growth in Sydney’s north west.

Latest Census data shows the number of people with Islamic affiliation living in The Hills Shire region more than doubled from 4044 to 8504 people between 2016 and 2021. 

A concept image of the $123m development.

But the size and scale of the plans has sparked alarm bells for some neighbours with early surveys revealing concerns over noise, traffic, parking congestion, and impacts on “property values”.

Some locals have warned the “significant expansion” could exacerbate pick-up and drop-off traffic conditions which locals say is defined by “unsafe and disrespectful driving practices” including cars speeding, using residential streets as ‘rat runs’, performing dangerous U-turns, and parking across residents’ front lawns.

Noise is another area of concern with residents complaining about “frequent loudspeaker announcements” from the school which they say is impacting their ability to “focus or relax”.

The school’s population would more than double as part of the proposal.

There have also been concerns over the level of security associated with the school with some neighbours saying night patrols by guards are conducted “unnecessarily close” to homes and have included incidents of guards looking into their windows, sometimes with torches.

The school says a key objective of the expansion would be to focus on “the needs of learners and learning in the context of the Islamic faith by incorporating the principles of God-consciousness, the refinement of moral character, and the pursuit of excellence” into the curriculum.

“It (will also) support and encourage community, ranging from family and school through to the local and wider community, with a focus on Islamic and Australian identity,” the plans stated.

An aerial impression of the expansion plan.

Plans indicate the school would have measures in place to address traffic congestion including new carparks to alleviate queuing during drop off and pick up times.

The expansion is also aimed at addressing existing school buildings which the school says are “in an average condition” and no longer big enough to suit the school’s long-term requirements.

The plans have been classified as state significant infrastructure and are currently being considered by the NSW Department of Planning.

Malek Fahd Islamic School was contacted for comment about the plans but did not respond to questions at the time of publication.

Originally published as Malek Fahd Islamic School reveals bid to double student population as part of $123m multistorey development