Edmondson Park High School: NSW SES and Liverpool council raise flooding and parking issues

Fears that hundreds of people could be trapped during a “rare” weather event alongside inadequate parking concerns have been raised as part of the plans for a new southwest Sydney high school.

New artist impressions of Edmondson Park High School unveiled. Picture: NSW School Infrastructure

Fears that hundreds of people could be trapped during a “rare” weather event alongside inadequate parking concerns have been raised as part of the plans for a new southwest Sydney high school.

Plans for a brand new high school across four buildings ranging from one to five storeys have been lodged for 145 Buchan Ave, Edmondson Park – next door to the primary school which opened last year.

The facilities will include a gymnasium, library, lecture theatre, canteen, performing arts hub, science learning hub, 40 permanent classrooms and three support learning classrooms.

Spotted Gum’s leaves on covered outdoor learning area. Picture: NSW School Infrastructure

Construction will be rolled out in two phases, with stage one providing capacity for 800 students and core facilities for the total 2000 students planned for completion by 2027.

The NSW SES raised “significant concern” for the northwestern boundary of the site which – in a worst-case scenario – would cause the area to be isolated by floodwater and the property inundated which could leave people trapped.

“We would like to request further information to understand the ‘trapped’ nature of this part of the site and associated risks,” the SES said.

“We recommend ensuring that the gradient in the area can allow for people to move away before becoming trapped.”

Building ‘C’ stairwell design at new Edmondson Park High School. Picture: NSW School Infrastructure

The SES recommended investigating options to improve stormwater management to “reduce flood risk” and implement early warning triggers such as monitoring severe weather warnings, “considering the flash flooding nature of the site”.

Liverpool council raised concerns about the lack of available parking which they claim is “not adequate to meet staff parking demand”.

“The proposed on-street parking spaces of 72 spaces don’t comply with council development control plan requirements which require a provision of 211 spaces,” Liverpool council planners stated.

Artist impressions of outdoor spaces and fields in Edmondson Park High School. Picture: NSW School Infrastructure

Council planners also recommended for NSW School infrastructure to confirm with Transport for NSW if additional bus services – 400 trips in stage one and 1000 in stage two – would be available for both primary and secondary students.

Planners further recommended future upgrades to the Bachan Ave and Faulkner Way intersection to be upgraded to manage the expected increased traffic levels around the new school.

TfNSW also recommended for school zones to be installed on roads with a direct access point from the school and for a parking management strategy that limits the “provision of carparking for staff who have an alternative means of travel”.

‘Grandmother tree’ space in school courtyard, informed by First nation culture and spirituality. Picture: NSW School Infrastructure

Edmondson Park High School: latest plans for 2000-student school revealed

A NSW School Infrastructure spokeswoman said a detailed school transport plan will be developed before the school opens in consultation with Liverpool council and TfNSW.

“Staff parking management measures will be included in the School Transport Plan, which will be developed prior to Stage 1, and then updated prior to Stage 2 of the development of the school,” the spokeswoman said.

“Further consultation with Council and Transport for NSW through Traffic Working Group sessions will be held once we engage a contractor for the Edmondson Park High School project.”

The spokeswoman said there was some ponding around the northeastern boundary of the high school site and, in both existing and post-development conditions, the area does not become isolated or inundated by floodwater.