PREAMBLE

The parents of children at Kensington Public School NSW, residents of the Heffron electorate and residents of the Randwick Local Government Area state their express opposition to the height & density planning controls proposed in Randwick City Council’s Kensington and Kingsford Draft Planning Strategy for the sites on the 4-corners of the Todman Ave & Anzac Parade intersection and sites on Todman Ave and Bowral St adjacent to the boundaries of Kensington Public School.

We request the NSW Minister for Planning to reject the Kensington and Kingsford Draft Planning Strategy in its entirety refusing consent to the draft Local Environment Plan in its current form thus refusing approval for the purpose of public exhibition.    

BACKGROUND

In December 2016, Randwick City Council proposed the Kensington and Kingsford Draft Planning Strategy (‘KKDPS’). The KKDPS is currently before the NSW Department of Planning pending ‘Gateway’ determination.

The KKDPS proposes to increase the building heights at each corner of Todman Ave and Anzac Parade to 18 storeys (60m).

The KKDPS also proposes to increase the general height controls at Todman Ave, Anzac Parade and Bowral Street to 9 storeys (31m).

The sites subject to the proposed planning control height & density increases are disturbingly close (within 50 to 100m) to Kensington Public School (‘KPS’) and will adversely affect the school.

IMPACT

It’s a significant concern to parents of KPS children, residents of the Heffron electorate and residents of the Randwick Local Government Area that the proposed 31m and 60m height controls at the Anzac Pde and Todman Ave intersection adjacent to the boundary of KPS will see the following impacts on KPS, the children, staff and Kensington residents;

• A significant and highly concentrated population increase in very close proximity to KPS
• An increased population will bring an increase in vehicle usage to area, cause congestion on roads surrounding KPS and congestion will rise further once the CSELR is operational and there is patronage at the Todman Light Rail stop; the ARUP study annexed to the draft KKDPS utilises an out-of-date 2013 light rail EIS traffic study
• Increased air pollution from emissions caused by an increase in vehicle usage
• Further limitations on the already short supply of parking available for staff, parents and residents.
• Significant overshadowing on the school building and grounds during daylight hours caused by 60m and/or 31m tall buildings located directly next to the boundary footings of KPS;
• Health impacts - overshadowing will deprive KPS children of sunlight and healthy levels of sun exposure necessary and beneficial for children’s growth and physical development.
• Noting KPS’ catchment zone has been narrowed twice in the last 5 years, the likely increased population in proximity to the school caused by the proposed developments will;

1. add further pressure on KPS to limit its catchment zone further or,
2. cause pressure on the school to increase its student capacity when it is known to KPS and the NSW Department of Education that KPS has no room for further physical classroom and playground expansion.

• An erosion and compromise of KPS children’s privacy due to the ability of occupants in the proposed 31m and 60m developments, to look into the school grounds at any time but particularly at recess and lunch times when children are playing.
• Increased safety risks to children who walk to school due to increased traffic congestion on roads surrounding the school especially at peak hour times
• Increased safety risks for children whose parents drop-off and pick-up their children at Doncaster Ave arising from an increase in traffic congestion especially at peak hour times
• Increased occupational health and safety risks to KPS staff and volunteers due to the increased volume of cars, traffic and congestion on roads surrounding and neighbouring the school especially at peak-hour times.
• Construction noise that is likely to interfere with children’s learning if the proposed height controls are permitted and large scale construction proceeds.
• Construction machinery parked near the school limiting car-parking space to be used by teachers and construction vehicles causing road congestion near the school.

ACTION

In light of the height control proposals for Kensington in the KKDPS, parents of KPS children, residents of the Heffron electorate and residents of the Randwick Local Government Area seek a determination REFUSING the KKDPS from Planning Minister, Mr Anthony Roberts due to it excessive height and density controls proposed on sites in very close proximity to Kensington Public School.