Neutral Bay Public School: Decision on $22m redevelopment handed down

An overcrowded school where students struggle to run on grass in play periods is one step closer to receiving a multimillion-dollar upgrade. But not everyone is happy, find out why.

A concept photo of what the completed project will look like.

A long-planned redevelopment of a north shore public school has finally been approved, despite concerns from neighbours the project could cause “traffic chaos” during school pick-up and drop-off runs.

A new library, staff facilities and 19 new and refurbished classrooms will be built at Neutral Bay Public School as part of a $21.5m redevelopment approved by the Sydney North Planning Panel.

The development is aimed at addressing the ageing state of current facilities, some of which date back to 1886 and have been deemed to be non-compliant, with “modern educational standards”.

Construction works will include a new three-storey building with seven classrooms, a library, amenity facilities, a canteen and staff areas. Two main buildings at the current campus will also be upgraded with refurbished classrooms, and out of hours school care facilities.

The development will not involve any change to the staff or student numbers – currently capped at 900 pupils.

The development includes expanded outdoor play areas.

A photo of the current campus which is in line for a major upgrade.

Parents have welcomed the planning panel’s decision with a P&C president Liz Henry telling this publication the upgrade was long overdue.

“It’s definitely a positive move for the school and there’s been a lot of work and consultation that’s gone into it,” she said.

A concept plan of the new three storey building.

A photo of current school buildings.

“There will be more space for students in terms of outdoor play areas and I think it’s a really positive opportunity for the school to be upgraded to modern standards. It’s very exciting for the school community.”

Approved plans for the project show the new classrooms will be built as ‘flexible learning spaces’ – described as offering personalised learning areas promoting “student choice, comfort and flexibility”.

Technology will be integrated into the rooms to “extend learning opportunities” with specialist equipment also available for students to innovate, create and communicate.

The approval comes after objections were raised by several neighbours over impacts including the height of new buildings and privacy impacts.

Resident David Meader, in a submission, objected to the removal of 18 trees required for construction works which he claimed could send a bad message to students.

“Given the tight circumscription applied to any application to trim trees in the North Sydney Council area, the removal of such a large number of trees in their entirety is completely inconsistent and inappropriate,” he said in a submission.

The project was unanimously approved by the local regional planning panel.

“As this is a school property, it is sending completely the wrong message to the school’s pupils.”

Neighbour Brigette Leckie said the project could exacerbate traffic “mayhem” during morning and afternoon periods.

“My driveway is consistently blocked by parents/grandparents/carers’ cars during (pick-up and drop-off) periods and other school events,” she wrote in a submission. “These works and school expansion will only worsen this problem and I am firmly against the proposal.”

The planning panel – in approving the project – noted the proposal had been subject to “considerable consultation” and the design had benefited from input from the community and North Sydney Council.

The project has been in the planning stages for more than two years with funding allocated towards the upgrade in the 2021/22 state government budget.