Parents concerned for child safety amid development controversy

PARENTS of Wahroonga Adventist School students were shocked when cranes delivered a sales display suite for a high-rise development to an adjoining carpark — while students were walking to school and without development approval.

Capital Bluestone delivered the display suite for their sales office at Wahroonga Estate despite not holding development approval to do so. Picture: Supplied

PARENTS of students at Wahroonga Adventist School were left shocked when cranes delivered a sales display suite to an adjoining carpark — while students were walking to school last week.

The development application for the display suite has yet to be approved by Ku-ring-gai Council, sparking concerns from Wahroonga residents and a local town planner around unauthorised work commencing at the site.

An artist’s impression of the Wahroonga Estate residential precinct plans.

“There is a possibility that, as the display suites have been delivered to the site prior to the DA being approved, the developer may have commenced unauthorised works,” the town planner said.

“Several parents in the school community have planning or development experience and have suggested that the school community ask council to check whether this is a compliance issue and whether it will affect the validity of the DA.”

Capital Bluestone managing director Ben Fairfax said the suite was stored on the site with permission of the land owner.

The residential precinct will wrap around the Wahroonga Adventist School.

“As part of the development agreement for the residential neighbourhood at the Wahroonga

Estate, SDA had previously agreed to allow the pods to be stored — not installed or activated — while the DA for the display suite is going through the approval process,” Mr Fairfax said.

Carli Jeffrey and with John Farrar and other residents are about proposed high-rise development next to the school. Picture: AAP image/Mark Scott

“This was all agreed with SDA and communicated to the School that this was happening

“There were a number of misunderstandings around the timing for this work, for which the Church has apologised to the school and the parents.”

Mr Fairfax said the school hosted a meeting with parents last week.

“We’re very conscious of the passion the parents have for their children and they only want to ensure their wellbeing and that this development — or any development — will not detract from their everyday school life,” he said.

“The Church is already working to address the points raised during the meeting with the parents and plan to report to them within the next few weeks.”

IN OTHER NEWS

A Ku-ring-gai Council spokeswoman said the Planning Department was collecting records of community consultation into the development.

“The display suite is not being used for its intended purpose but it may affect the number of car parking spaces required for the property,” the spokeswoman said.

“The Council’s compliance team is investigating this matter.”