Objections to Waitara Public School’s redevelopment

THE STATE Government has been hit with a series of objections from Hornsby Council and residents over its proposal to redevelop Waitara Public School.

THE STATE Government has been hit with a series of objections from Hornsby Council and residents over its proposal to redevelop Waitara Public School.

The $30 million redevelopment includes the replacement of 16 demountables by a four-storey learning centre, upgrades to the library, the construction of a multipurpose hall, administration space and a canteen for the school’s 1000 students.

The state significant planning development application, which was submitted in July 2017, was criticised by residents and council over the location of the new four-storey learning centre and the demolition of a building opened in 1927.

A Hornsby Council staff planning spokesman said the heritage listing for the property relates to indigenous trees across the school grounds.

Some residents have concerns because of what they see as the heritage value of some of the buildings to be demolished.

“Buildings of high contributory significance protected under the Wahroonga North Heritage Conservation Area include the original the primary school house constructed in 1939 and the original infants’ school house constructed in 1927,” the staff member said.

Waitara resident and former pupil Bruce Elson said he was under the impression the original weatherboard building — proposed to be demolished — was heritage listed.

Mr Elson also raised concerns around traffic issues at the site, including the proposal of a No Right Turn from Edgeworth David Ave into Jubilee St.

A NSW Heritage Council spokesman said although the site was not listed in the State Heritage Register, it held local significance.

“It is recommended that consideration be given to the impact of the proposed development on Wahroonga North Heritage Conservation Area especially the loss of two contributory items and addition of a large scale contemporary building to a locally listed site,” the spokesman said.

Wahroonga resident Clemens Overjijk also hit out over a lack of onsite parking.

One of the many demountables at the school.

“The proposed “status-quo” on the existing 12 on-site parking spaces is deemed insufficient given the number of on-site staff and the proposed increase of on-site staff,” he said.

“In my view the Traffic Impact Study does not reflect the expected increased vehicle traffic on Myra and Edgeworth David Avenue upon completion of the NorthConnex, as local streets will be used to “feed into” the new NorthConnex.

“The proposal must accommodate an on-site pick-up/drop-off zone to avoid further traffic congestion on Edgeworth David and Myra Street during AM and PM peak, and to offer the suggested 55 per cent of students — who indicated to “park and walk” and “vehicle drop-off” — a safe option to meet parents or guardians away from the main road.”

Waitara Public School president Nick Berman, wife, Christine and kids Kate and John at the school. Picture: John Feder/The Australian

Ku-ring-gai state Liberal MP Alister Henskens said the school community was fully supportive of the redevelopment plans.

“Given the historical approvals of multistorey apartments by Hornsby Council in Waitara, I find any concerns expressed by Council about the bulk of much lower school buildings to be baffling,” he said.

“The design of the new buildings was prepared in consultation with the School community and the proposed airconditioned multistorey buildings at Waitara Public School will maximise the play area for the children, which is very important.”

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Mr Henskens said he was aware of traffic concerns and working to rectify issues.

An Education department spokesman said the existing administration building has no disability access and is not fit for modern education purposes.

“Extensive community consultations have continually been carried out through the planning and design phase to ensure the project has the full support of the school community,” he said.