Moriah College Redevelopment

Moriah College is a high-level private school, where the board, staff, parents and students all work very hard in collaboration with each other to provide an atmosphere in which learning is a priority.

In this instance, the Board of Moriah has developed a modern far-ranging project that will upgrade its learning spaces and provide the best opportunity for the thinkers, innovators, change agents and entrepreneurs of tomorrow.

The project involves Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) facilities, as well as an Independent Learning Centre (ILC) for High School students.

The planned changes to the School will improve the parking arrangements to the local residents. One must bear in mind that all schools will impact on the local area. This is what communal living is all about. For example, my sister lives in a different area of Sydney and she has to put up with the traffic jam and other inconveniences for at least a half hour every afternoon from the nearby government school.

The students of the school will benefit from the new building and learning spaces that is required to support their learning. The school is helping to manage the traffic flow as well.

I support this project for Moriah College because many of the current High School facilities are inefficient and outdated and so need to be replaced. The project will move the entrance to the College to a section of the community that faces the park. This entrance will include an internal drop off as well as internal parking. All of this will reduce the current noise/traffic burden that the neighbourhood currently finds challenging.
The college has a Green Travel Plan, which seeks to create a modal shift, encouraging greater use of public transport, walking, cycling, and car-pooling, rather than private vehicle use. This is expected to reduce private vehicles significantly in support of the local area.

Generally I have no truck with NIMBYs. I rarely object to local projects that increase human and therefore traffic density, that being the cost of living in a growing city. This time I do object. I object to the by-passing of Council and the inadequate time to object to a very long and complex proposal, both of which hint at an abuse of power through political connections (something previously unheard of in NSW). I also object to the school doing so little to alleviate the problem - for instance by running school buses.

The 'Near Neighbour Letter Catchment' was inadequate and needs to be significantly expanded.
I was not deemed a Near Neighbour until last week when I received a letter drop from Moriah College.
The residents of Bourke Street should have been consulted

Noise from the school travels into my home.
Bourke Street is a main through road used by Moriah school busses and parents.


I am very concerned about the increased traffic and noise to the area.
The preschool children will I presume not be using the bus system.
I do not believe children will be cycling on congested morning Eastern Suburbs Roads.
The vast majority of the residents around Moriah College do not have children at Moriah College.
I cannot see parents, children walking from Rose Bay, Dover Heights or Vaucluse.

An internal ringroad does not obviate the issue of more cars accessing Moriah College.

I would like Waverley Council to conduct their own independent and public traffic survey prior to DA being approved.

I strongly object to the proposal for this redevelopment submitted by Moriah College. The impact on the local community by way of traffic and parking from the school now is
problematic - parking is difficult and the congestion is at an impossible level. We were assured in the 80"s that the student Nos. would be limited to 610. It then increased to 910. Then in 2004 the numbers increased to 1680. Some like myself do not have off street parking and at the times when Moriah College have functions it is impossible to find parking.
This proposal should not be allowed, there is a limit to the traffic generated in a residential area. Most people who have lived in Queens Park for far longer than Moriah College has been here, deserve some consideration too.

• A new study centre will offer a flexible, modern High School library-space that will
house a book collection and support innovative learning in a technology-rich environment.
• The project will offer more spaces where students can get together, to allow for greater social
interaction and enhance collaborative knowledge sharing.
• The proposed design includes the construction of a new building, which will maximise spatial resources and
leverage more opportunities for students to enjoy green, open spaces.
• A new internal ‘ring road’, will ensure all High School vehicle drop off and pick up will improve traffic
flow, and keep more cars on campus and off local roads
• A Green Travel Plan, which seeks to create a modal shift, encouraging greater use of public transport,
walking, cycling, and car-pooling, rather than private vehicle use. This is expected to reduce private vehicle
use by 10% and will include more than 100 additional bicycle spaces, showers, change rooms and lockers.
• Staggered arrival and departure times for different cohorts of students will help reduce traffic congestion
during the peak traffic periods
• The redirection of vehicle access away from residents on Queens Park Road by relocating the main entry and
administration of Moriah College to York Road and Baronga Avenue, further reducing potential impact for
near neighbours
•  Moriah College will be upgrading the Queens Park / York Road intersection and the York Road / Baronga Avenue intersection further providing real and sustainable
solutions to the traffic issues facing the Queens Park precinct as a whole. Moriah has been working
collaboratively with Waverley Council to ensure these intersection upgrades will occur prior to development
of the new facilities.

This further development and expansion of Moriah is of significant concern on a number of fronts for my family and I who have lived in the area for a number of years.

"Queens Park" (and Centennial park) is an area of green recreation, not an area for increased significant building development and importantly a dangerous place of traffic congestion. Moriah is at the heart of that green location and already the majority contributor to congestion particularly during key periods.

The congestion in the area continues to significantly increase and would do so at an unacceptable and dangerous level if this proposal were to be approved.

Inexperienced 17-18 year old P plate students contribute to the racing through residential 'back streets' causing further need for speed humps, crossings and traffic management solutions. They heavily contribute to parking congestion not only in the surrounding residential streets, but also the broader Centennial Park area which has recently changed parking conditionals and is at capacity along the school side where parents are now unable to park in proximity to the children's playground area near the York entry.
Parents dropping kids during peak times cause significant build up of traffic and often grid lock in the area. The traffic management report appears to mostly dismiss the external traffic concerns and focus primary on the internal flow of traffic. The traffic along York road particularly entering the school can only be described as 'significantly dangerous'. Cars bank up waiting to enter the school grounds half over line markings and across the well used walk way to the park. This is simply dismissed as 'regular school traffic' in the report and the focus is mostly about internal timing and flow. I completely disagree with the dismissive tone and focus of the issue and it will only be when someone gets hit, will a more complete review reveal that the area is completely unsafe at current levels, much less with a proposed increase in volume. Anyone assessing this proposal should stand there and ask the honest question - is this really safe, will simply a new crossing or line markings fix it given the width constraints, or are we simply trying to bandage solution an area that can't handle the current or proposed volumes safely in this residential and park location.

More broadly, traffic congestion is already a major problem particularly between 7.30am and 9.30am and later in the afternoons. There is an almost continuous flow of traffic blocking local streets at peak times generated by student drop-offs and pick-ups.

Moriah's geographical student catchment area is significant and well outside the immediate postcode. Further expansion of the school will draw more students from abroad into the area during times that local residence are commuting.

Moriah College has failed to manage its own Transport, Traffic & Parking Plan (TTPP) for a long time, evidenced by the number of students, parents and staff vehicles parking daily in local streets contrary to its own TTPP.

Moriah College night-time events are frequent, attract significant numbers of people and use local streets as a parking lot. This will only get worse for residents if this proposal goes ahead.

Pedestrian safety risks and general road safety risks will escalate as a result of the increased traffic in local streets.

The streets of Queens Park are becoming ‘traffic sewers’, which is impacting friendly interaction between neighbors, resulting in a decreased sense of well being, contentedness and security.

I have to continually pick up student cigarette butts from my back gate where students congregate.

The visual amenity of Queens Park will be adversely impacted by the bulk of the proposed buildings. The height, bulky nature and property line design of the proposal completely changes the 'green field' tree outlook from Queens Park.


3 weeks is grossly inadequate for informed responses to the proposal, which contains nearly 1,600 pages of complicated text and diagrams – more time is needed.

Thank you for your consideration.

Objecting on the following grounds:
Traffic congestion already exists and will continue to increase if the development is allowed
Moriah College's failure to manage it's TTPP at this point in time
The areas surrounding the college are already congested with the spill over from the college and parking availability has suffered

This is an important project to allow for improvements for a much needed and valuable resource to the local community and students of the school.
The proposal considers the existing traffic issues in the area and makes provisions to try and improve the situation by creating more internal roads and upgrading the intersections in the area.
The proposed increase student numbers are minor compared to the total number and will be increased over time.

Already this area is very congested in the mornings and increasing the student load will make the congestion worse with drop off and pick ups. The students park in areas that should be allocated to residents and guests of residents in this area which is very fustrating. This school has already well exceeded its original proposal for student numbers and I believe it will greatly impact the culture of Queens Park and the surround environment which should be protected. I know, being a construction project manager that the construction site will increase pollution, rubbish, noise and dust.

I strongly object to this development as a resident of Queens Park for the following reasons:
1. Traffic congestion is already a major problem particularly between 7:30am and 9:30am and later in the afternoons. There is an almost continuous flow of traffic blocking local streets at peak times generated by student drop-offs and pick-ups.
2. Moriah College has failed to manage its own Transport, Traffic & Parking Plan (TTPP) for a long time, evidenced by the number of students, parents and staff vehicles parking daily in local streets contrary to its own TTPP.
3. Moriah College night-time events are frequent, attract large numbers of people and use local streets for parking. This will only worsen for residents if this proposal is approved.
4. Pedestrian safety risks and general road safety risks will escalate as a result of the increased traffic in local streets.
5. Noise and air pollution in our local streets will increase due to more traffic and people, and as a result, noise will increase and air quality will reduce.
6. The streets of Queens Park are becoming ‘traffic sewers’ which is impacting friendly interaction between neighbours, resulting in a decreased sense of well-being, community, connectedness and security.
7. The visual amenity of Queens Park and Centennial Park will be adversely impacted by the sheer size of the proposed new buildings.
8. 3 weeks, especially in the busy lead up to end of year for local residents, is grossly inadequate for informed responses to the proposal, which contains nearly 1600 pages of complicated text and diagrams – more time is needed.
9. The ripple-on effect of the increase in traffic, congestion and pollution will extend to many residents who have not been notified of the proposal and who deserve the right to be informed and to comment.
10. The ‘Near Neighbour Letter Catchment’ was inadequate and needs to be significantly expanded so that all impacted neighbours are aware of Moriah’s intentions.
11. Queens Park residents would like Waverley Council to conduct their own independent and public traffic survey so that all stakeholders can better understand the impact.
12. The parking restrictions in the surrounding streets enable students and staff to park. Restrictions need to be tightened to 2 hours, not unrestricted, to reduce the already congested parking in the Queens Park area.

I strongly object to this project being approved.
please have regard for residents in the area and how much this will affect everyone in their daily lives.

this expansion cannot be allowed.
residents are already stressed and upset about the traffic conditions that already exists in the area and you are limiting more natural space to residents.
the school should look outside the congested areas for expansion.

MORIAH COLLEGE REDEVELOPMENT – MAJOR PROJECT 14741
I strongly object to this development as a resident of Queens Park for the following reasons:
1. Traffic congestion is already a major problem particularly between 7:30am and 9:30am and later in the afternoons. There is an almost continuous flow of traffic blocking local streets at peak times generated by student drop-offs and pick-ups.
2. Moriah College has failed to manage its own Transport, Traffic & Parking Plan (TTPP) for a long time, evidenced by the number of students, parents and staff vehicles parking daily in local streets contrary to its own TTPP.
3. Moriah College night-time events are frequent, attract large numbers of people and use local streets for parking. This will only worsen for residents if this proposal is approved.
4. Pedestrian safety risks and general road safety risks will escalate as a result of the increased traffic in local streets.
5. Noise and air pollution in our local streets will increase due to more traffic and people, and as a result, noise will increase and air quality will reduce.
6. The streets of Queens Park are becoming ‘traffic sewers’ which is impacting friendly interaction between neighbours, resulting in a decreased sense of well-being, community, connectedness and security.
7. The visual amenity of Queens Park and Centennial Park will be adversely impacted by the sheer size of the proposed new buildings.
8. 3 weeks, especially in the busy lead up to end of year for local residents, is grossly inadequate for informed responses to the proposal, which contains nearly 1600 pages of complicated text and diagrams – more time is needed.
9. The ripple-on effect of the increase in traffic, congestion and pollution will extend to many residents who have not been notified of the proposal and who deserve the right to be informed and to comment.
10. The ‘Near Neighbour Letter Catchment’ was inadequate and needs to be significantly expanded so that all impacted neighbours are aware of Moriah’s intentions.
11. Queens Park residents would like Waverley Council to conduct their own independent and public traffic survey so that all stakeholders can better understand the impact.

I support the proposed development plans. It will benefit the local community to have improved, safer access and traffic flow around the College site. Updating the teaching facilities will enhance the learning and social development of the students. The plans maximise resources and incorporate green spaces. Moriah is an important community hub and improved facilities will allow the facilitation of events which will benefit the entire community. Thank you for your consideration.

See attachment for comments

Moriah’s proposal to upgrade facilities will create updated, contemporary learning spaces and recreational spaces.
Moriah’s new proposal will improve traffic flow for both school users as well as surrounding residents by staggering arrival and departure times for different cohorts of students,
redirecting vehicle access away from residents on Queens Park Road by relocating the main entry and administration of Moriah College to York Road and Baronga Avenue and by upgrading the Queens Park / York Road intersection and the York Road / Baronga Avenue intersection.

The proposed upgrades enable Moriah College to grow sustainably at 1% per annum over 15 years.
The proposal will improve traffic flow for everyone including surrounding neighbours.
Moriah College is currently experiencing a shortfall of appropriate learning spaces, with some existing buildings inefficient and outdated. The College proposes to upgrade its school facilities to create contemporary learning spaces that inspire innovation.

Traffic congestion is already a major problem particularly between 7:30am and 9:30am and later in the afternoons. There is an almost continuous flow of traffic blocking local streets at peak times generated by student drop-offs and pick-ups.