Chatswood High School, Primary redevelopments approved

After a long campaign by parents, a decision has finally been handed down on a $150 million redevelopment plan for Chatswood High School and Primary School.

A concept plan of the Chatswood Primary School redevelopment

Two of the north shore’s largest schools are on track to becoming even bigger with construction due to begin on more than 70 classrooms across the campus.

The Department of Planning has given the green light for a $153 million redevelopment of Chatswood public and high schools in a move to cater for more than 700 new students and address overcrowding.

The developments will include 29 new classrooms at Chatswood Public School and 42 at the high school.

A concept plan of the Chatswood High School redevelopment

The decision comes after a long-running campaign by parents for measures to address capacity constrains at the campuses which recently had students taking staged lunch breaks and split assemblies to reduce overcrowding.

In approving the plans, the department said the “schools have experienced substantial enrolment growth exceeding predicted current and future capacity” and noted there was “significant pressure on available space” in classrooms and outdoor play areas.

The works at Chatswood Primary School will include two new teaching buildings standing up to seven storeys tall with classrooms, staff facilities and rooftop play areas.

Construction is due to begin this year.

Chatswood High School will meanwhile have three new buildings with a library, classrooms, two workshops and a hall with sports room facilities.

A new hall at Chatswood Primary will also have a capacity for 264 people and double as a facility for out-of-hours care.

Enrolment capacity at the primary school will be increased to 1600 and 2000 at the high school – up from the current 1575 students at the high school and 1315 at the primary school.

The approval comes after concerns were raised by residents and Willoughby Council over increased traffic congestion, noise, overshadowing, the removal of 62 trees, and ongoing “illegal parking” by parents during school pick-up runs.

A concept plan of the Chatswood Primary School redevelopment

School Infrastructure NSW in response made minor modifications to plans including increasing setbacks from the northern boundary, promoting use of public transport, and limiting construction vehicles from entering the site via the Pacific Hwy.

The department said the redevelopment was needed to reduce demand on existing facilities and to keep up with future enrolment growth.

Planning Minister Rob Stokes said the development would also aid in reviving the state’s economy by creating up to 266 construction jobs.

“These approvals are among hundreds of projects we’re driving through the planning system to create jobs and boost our economic recovery,” he said.

Construction works are due to begin this year and will take 36 months to complete.

Both schools will remain operational during the development.