Chatswood: Plans to turn 688-692 Pacific Hwy into units spark mixed reaction from residents

A decade-long campaign to expand a north shore primary school onto the site of a run-down building has been dealt a blow, with plans released to instead turn the site into new units.

New plans have been lodged to transform the prominent site.

A decade-long campaign to expand Chatswood Primary School onto the site of a rundown building directly next to the campus has been dealt a blow with plans released to instead turn the site into new units.

A vacant commercial building at 688-692 Pacific Hwy has been earmarked to be redeveloped into a seven-storey building as part of a $20.7m plan lodged to Willoughby Council.

The proposal has caused backlash among residents who have long lobbied for the site to be used for a primary school.

The campaign has been fuelled by soaring population growth at Chatswood which has left local schools – including Chatswood Primary School – at bursting point.

The Pacific Hwy site, which is located directly north of the existing primary school campus, has stood vacant for years and is currently sprawled with graffiti.

A concept image of the development

Resident David Grover, in a submission to the plans, said the community had “fought hard and long for the Department of Education to acquire the property”, however had “lost this battle”.

Another resident said using the site for Chatswood Public School would ease overcrowding at existing schools.

A photo of the current site.

“This opportunity does not come up often so it should be made the most of,” the submission states. “The developments in Chatswood are turning the area into a high rise nightmare when you consider the effects on infrastructure.”

Enrolment numbers at Chatswood Primary School soared from 1072 students in 2015 to 1343 in 2020

Lack of space at the campus has resulted in recess and lunch breaks staged into separate sessions along with assemblies split due to size constraints at the school’s meeting hall.

The development plans show the new unit and commercial building would include basement carparking with 57 spaces.

“The proposal will contribute toward much needed residential dwellings – including affordable housing – in Willoughby (and) will generate both direct and indirect employment in the retail and commercial premises on the site,” the plans stated.

The NSW Government is currently in the process of redeveloping the Chastwood Primary and High School into a new campus with expanded teaching capacity.

The plans for the Pacific Hwy site have been lodged by Polytec Australia Development and are currently under assessment by the council.