Chatswood primary, high school expansion sparks backlash from residents, council
Residents and planning officials have delivered a mixed report card on major plans to rebuild two schools in Chatswood to cater for 3500 students amid fears it would push already congested roads to the limit.
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A major redevelopment of Chatswood primary and high schools has been met with backlash from surrounding residents and planning officials amid fears it would turn already congested roads into “no go zones”.
Staggered school start times, measures to reduce noise and a detailed plan to manage traffic impacts are among measures Willoughby Council has called for as part of the development of the Chatswood Education Precinct.
Plans by School Infrastructure NSW show the project would cater for 3500 kindergarten to Year 12 students in 150 new and refurbished classrooms within buildings up to six storeys tall.
The project would involve rebuilding the existing schools, located on two neighbouring blocks of land on the Pacific Hwy and Centennial Ave bordering the Chatswood CBD.
In its submission to the plans, Willoughby Council said it recognised the expansion would meet enrolment demand on the north shore but flagged concerns over impacts on surrounding homes and the region’s road capacity.
The council said measures to address impacts should include new roundabouts on Centennial Ave and a shuttle bus service to link students with public transport hubs including St Leonards and Epping.
The council has also called for staggered school start and finish times – a move backed by Transport for NSW to “spread demand on the transport network”.
Local residents have flagged similar concerns, along with objections to noise and the height of the development that would have classrooms overlooking surrounding homes.
Resident Maurice Whelan said it can currently take 15 minutes to drive from Centennial Ave to the Pacific Hwy due to a “mass exodus” of students during pick-up and drop off hours and the expansion would make the area a “no go zone”.
Plans by School Infrastructure NSW show car access at the primary school would be relocated from the Pacific Hwy to Jenkins St and new drop-off zones would be added on Oliver St for the high school.
The department said the expansion would address overcrowding at both schools and meet long-term enrolment demand on the north shore.
“The proposed school design considers the needs of the school and local community, combined with the complexities of the site, the area’s distinctive character and surrounding properties,” the department said in a statement.
The submissions come as the Department of Education confirmed a feasibility study has been launched into acquiring the Sydney Metro Dive Site on the Pacific Hwy/Mowbray Rd intersection as part of longer term plans to build a new Chatswood Primary School.
The dive site – which is currently used to excavate soil from the underground rail line between Chatswood and Bankstown – is due to become available in 2024.
School Infrastructure NSW is reviewing submissions for the education precinct ahead of an assessment by the Department of Planning.
If approved, the department said construction works would begin in 2021.