St Aloysius’ College: Rozelle parish building to become new senior campus

A prestigious north shore boys college is one step closer to expanding its footprint with a decision made on a new multimillion dollar campus on the other side of Sydney Harbour.

A prestigious north shore boys college will soon extend its footprint to the other side of Sydney Harbour by opening a new multimillion dollar campus in the inner west.

The Department of Planning has approved a proposal by St Aloysius’ College to convert a parish hall in Rozelle into a 200-student campus catering for its students.

The $2 million development will serve as an off-site facility for the college’s main campus in Kirribilli – recognised as one of Sydney’s leading private schools that boasts a long list of high profile alumni including Joe Hockey, Tony Abbott and Bernard Foley.

The new Rozelle campus – located on Victoria Rd and Gordon St – will initially be used to house students who have to be relocated to accommodate previously approved redevelopment works on the Kirribilli site.

Plans state there was potential for Rozelle to become a permanent off-site campus for the college once the temporary arrangements are no longer needed.

A plot of the parish building which will be turned into a school campus.

The school has already started advertising for the new ‘head of school’ position at the new campus in an advert stating: “this is a full-time opportunity, initially on a five-year contract, commencing January 2023”.

The Department of Planning – in approving the new campus on Tuesday – deemed the project “in the public interest”.

A photo of the school layout including play break areas on Victoria Rd.

The approval follows concerns from residents – largely centred on potential traffic impacts, noise, overshadowing, and what was labelled “limited consultation”.

Submissions also took aim at a lack of open space for students and potential impacts on local parks that could be used for school recreational activities.

The school – in its plans – said the lack of playing space at the new campus meant “limited school sport may be held at existing off-site venues with students transported to the venues by shuttle buses”.

The plans added the college may also seek arrangements to use local facilities for the purposes of lunchtime play breaks for its students.

Buildings at the site will be adapted into a new school.

Neighbour Jo Crawford was among residents who wrote a submission raising concerns over potential impacts on the community.

“The traffic and children’s noise will also be a huge issue and no doubt they will infiltrate the small park (at the end of Prince St) used by residents and their children,” she said.

“As my apartment backs onto Prince St I am very concerned about the privacy issue.”

The Department of Planning said the concerns raised by residents and Inner West Council would be “adequately addressed” through conditions of consent which include limiting the outdoor play time at the campus to reduce noise impacts.

An overview of the development (shown in red)

The school will also have to complete a ‘green travel plan’ to encourage students to take public transport, cycle or walk to school – rather than use a car.

All organised sports in the main campus or off site will also be held in out-of-hour periods and details of sporting activities will have to be outlined in an operational management plan.

Plans by the school stated the campus would support “tailored learning and educational opportunities” and provide “modern, technologically-equipped energy efficient and flexible facilities that will complement the existing education facilities at Kirribilli.”

A photo of the main St Aloysius campus in Kirribilli.

Plans show the development would be built on two lots at 48 Victoria Road and 2A-2B Gordon Street – both owned by the Trustees of the Roman Catholic Church for the Archdiocese of Sydney.

The St Josephs Parish Church crypt building at the Victoria Rd site would be converted into new teaching areas, operating alongside Sydney Community College and Aboriginal child support agency Gunawirra which lease the site from the church.

The two-storey building at the Gordon St site would also be transformed into a teaching hub with classrooms, admin, support and amenities areas.

A courtyard at 48 Victoria Road would provide the school with outdoor play space with features including terrace seating and a handball court.

Approved development works at the Kirribilli campus include upgrades to existing teaching facilities and refurbishment of the school’s wings, great hall and the chapel.

The school was contacted for additional comment but did not respond at the time of publication.