PlanningAlerts

5 Comments

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1. The increase for student numbers in this development is insufficient to meet the needs of Epping's growing population. Given Epping will soon have an additional 10,000 dwellings and 18,000 more residents the height of this development needs to be increased to allow the school to enroll more than 736 students.

   An increase in height will also maximise the use of this space and the foot print of buildings on the site. The City of Parramatta's Draft S94 Development Contribution Plan repeatedly states the Council will need to utilise the open space in schools so a taller building will also help to support Epping's need for more open space. It is good that the roof includes solar panels. However, why not also provide an outdoor garden area for children on the roof to maximise the open space available on this site.

   The provision of parking for the school teachers needs to be addressed. This DA identifies that the 12 parking spaces will be reduced to 2 car spaces. The street parking in this area is already at a maximum. It is not always practical for teachers to use public transport as they need to carry books etc to their place of employment. The development needs to incorporate basement parking.

   Finally, why cannot something be designed which does not require such a high level of tree removal. Trees are necessary to reduce the heat in the building as well as for the street scape. Not to mention their benefit for the air quality for the children who will otherwise be sitting in class rooms very close to busy roads and all the car exhaust.

2. I agree with M. McCartney with both the point of tree removal, and the decreased provision of car parking space.

   Trees are essential for so many reasons, but especially in shading the school grounds and providing the benefits for mental wellbeing, of green and nature. So many of these children attending the school will be unit dwellers without a garden in which to play. Save these trees where possible for the future wellbeing of all concerned both human and and animal.

   Car parking near the current school is in short supply. Train commuters park here as well as school staff and parents. If the school population is going to increase, so will the need for parking. I know of a teacher that works at the school, and he has mentioned the difficulty of securing a spot close enough to enable him to carry the crate loads of books he takes home for marking each day. It makes sense to include basement parking as part of the plan. Council should insist on off-street parking as it would for any other development. The Department of Education should be made to comply too. The two parking spots in the plans will be for disabled parking only, so that means that there will be 12 extra cars on the street even before the school population increases.

3. More trees need to be removed from Epping. Tree growth is out of control and makes the suburb look like a dark forest from a horror film.

4. To describe Epping as a Dark Forest is absurd. If Mr Anderson lives in Epping then he know that, and he will also know that there were more trees in Epping when he chose to live here. This comment simply does not make sense. If one wishes to see horror, simply take a look at the traffic congestion there is now, even before the extensive developments underway are occupied.

   However, if Mr Anderson does not live in Epping, then the question arises about why he wishes trees to be removed.

   For the record, I'm an Epping resident of 24 years. We chose to live here because it was an attractive suburb, an attributed created in no small part by the fine trees.

5. I may be wrong, but I suspect that Patrick Anderson is "speaking with tongue in cheek".

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