St Leo’s Catholic College, Our Lady of the Rosary Primary School principals speak out against Barker College redevelopment

Two Catholic primary school principals have voiced concerns over a $121 million expansion of a nearby private school, sharing fears it could cause ‘significant impacts’ on students and local traffic.

A major redevelopment is planned for Barker College

A major redevelopment of one of Sydney’s top private schools has sparked a string of objections from the principals of two nearby Catholic Schools.

St Leo’s Catholic College and Our Lady of the Rosary Primary School are opposing a $121 million redevelopment of Barker College at Hornsby amid fears the projects could create major traffic congestion in the area and cause disruption to students during construction periods.

The redevelopment of Barker College features a range of new facilities including an indoor swimming pool, rooftop tennis courts, a performing arts building and an exams centre.

As part of the proposal, Barker College would increase its student enrolment headcount to 2850 – an increase of 430 students on current levels.

The increased enrolment capacity would make the student population larger than dozens of NSW towns including Lightning Ridge, Bourke and Jindabyne.

A concept image of new facilities proposed at Barker College

St Leo’s Catholic College – located east of the site – has called for the project to be rejected due to impacts on the local area during construction and once completed.

Principal Anthony Gleeson said his “key concerns” included the increase in student numbers and “the impact that this may have on St Leo’s Catholic College” by “soaking” up enrolment capacity within the area in coming years.

Barker College would increase its enrolment capacity as part of the proposal.

Mr Gleeson said there had been a “lack of engagement” by Barker College in considering its proximity to both St Leo’s Catholic College and Our Lady of the Rosary Primary School campuses and their growth needs.

“As a result, the opportunity for a considered, master plan approach for the entire precinct will be lost should the department consider approving this plan without adequate engagement and consideration of our sites’ context,” he said.

“Construction is intended to occur over a six-year period, which will mean ongoing adverse impacts for students, staff and visitors of St Leo’s Catholic College.

“Future traffic impacts are considered a concern as it will ultimately result in a significant impact on traffic for the local road network (and) this has adverse implications for all surrounding properties of the site.”

A masterplan of the Barker College development.

St Leo's Catholic College principal Anthony Gleeson.

Similar objections were raised by Our Lady of the Rosary Primary School principal Jacinta Crowe, who highlighted traffic as a primary concern.

“It is anticipated that the future aquatic and tennis centre as well as the proposed performing arts centre will require increased parking, of which may result in overflow parking to the street,” she said.

“Noise exceedence will occur during the proposed construction works … which will mean ongoing adverse impacts for students, staff and visitors.”

In a statement, Barker College chief executive David Porter said the school was aware of the feedback from St Leo’s Catholic College and Our Lady of the Rosary Primary School.

The Department of Planning is currently assessing the development proposal.

He said the college was now “working through refinements” to the development proposal in response to the public feedback.

Mr Porter the college was also “working hard to manage traffic in and around the school” as part of the development including by staggering school start and finish times.

For the pick-up period, student name plates would also be placed on car windows to allow staff to “position the relevant student at the pick-up point, for efficient pick up and flow”.

“Barker is committed to transparently engaging with neighbours and in addition to the public exhibition managed by government, Barker held several consultation sessions in 2021 with our neighbours and school community,” he said.

“We also distributed newsletters to more than 1600 residents, businesses, and schools surrounding our campus during 2021 and 2022.”

Barker College, in its plans, stated the project would modernise outdated facilities at the campus including the current pool which dates back more than 25 years and was “nearing its serviceable lifespan.”

The proposal is currently under assessment by the Department of Planning and is expected to be determined within the coming months.