New High School in Bungendore

Further to my original submission I continue to strongly support the Bungendore High School proposal.

Bungendore and the surrounding area is in great need of a high school with the area continuing to experience strong population growth. The high school will be a valuable education asset for not only the current generation of children but also for future generations.

The co-location of the high school adjacent to the primary school and the re-purposing of the soon to be vacated Queanbeyan Palerang Council building is logical and makes sound planning decision.

Thank you for considering my further submission and I hope the new High School can now be approved and allow our children to have the option of a local education.

Education is pivotally to the growth of societies and should be central to everything we do, and plan for. The current proposed location creates an educational hub for Bungendore placing it in the heart of the town, in close proximity to the primary school and providing the optimal location for our future leaders to learn and grow.

I refer to the amended state-significant development application. This amendment is so similar that my previous objection will still apply therefore please take it into account
I object to the proposal, for the following reasons:
• The site selected is the relatively small park in the historic centre of Bungendore and it is culturally significant to the community of Bungendore. Among other things it is the site of the War Memorial. To build the school on this site will destroy the amenity and enjoyment of this unique and precious space for all residents of the town and surrounding areas.
• The site selected does not future proof for any expansion of the school as the community grows. Existing and planned significant housing developments around the township will quickly result in a real increase in demand on places at the school. It is not clear how this has been considered and how such demand will be accommodated. Many students will miss out on places as the population of young families grows. A new school for Bungendore creates an opportunity to build for the future, not something inadequate for the present. I ask for a fiscally responsible use of taxpayers money by building a facility that will endure on a site capable of expansion with the growing population.
• The site selected is, by existing MoE guidelines, already too small for use as a high school and it is difficult to understand why they think this is acceptable for Bungendore. The serious result of this is that it will most likely limit the curriculum offered at the school and limit the outdoor physical recreation and play areas thereby disadvantaging all students who attend.
• Road traffic management concerns have still not been properly identified and addressed. There will be considerable negative impact on expanding existing community facilities and on the residents in the vicinity. Traffic safety should be a top priority but it is not evident that it has been properly considered at all.
• Numerous questions asked by the community during the planning of this proposal have not been answered in a satisfactory or a transparent way. These include questions about much more suitable and spacious alternative sites for the development and the reasons for the sudden exclusion of such sites from consideration.

I have not, and no associate of mine, has made any political donation to any person in the 2 years preceding this submission.

I am writing in support of the proposed Bungendore High School. Our community desperately needs a high school. Students currently need to travel at least an hour on the bus each day in order to attend a high school, which is detrimental to the students, their education and the community.

I strongly believe that the current site is the best site available, on the proposed Majara / Gibraltar precinct. The current design will suit the needs of the staff and students of the high school. The design provides for a variety of flexible learning spaces which allow for a variety of delivery methods, thereby capable of meeting the varying needs of the students and the content being delivered. It should be noted that ultimately the teachers teaching our students who will determine the quality of the education received by the students. Without quality teachers, regardless of how state of the art the facilities are, students will not receive a quality education. It is noted that quality facilities will encourage high quality teachers to seek to teach at Bungendore, and the designs provided currently do provide quality facilities.

It is suggested that the Department install a pedestrian crossing near the intersection of Malbon and Majara Streets to provide safer pedestrian access for those students attending both Bungendore Public School and Bungendore High School from the area south of Bungendore Public School.

There are significant benefits in co-locating the high school with the primary school and preschool from both an educational perspective as well as a social/community perspective. Educationally, it includes:

- supporting students studying early childhood as part of their HSC due to the close connections that can be built with the preschool;
- allowing for additional opportunities to be provided to students struggling to achieve academically. For example, students can be involved in buddy programs to allow them to practice their reading in a non-threatening way. As a high school teacher in a school where there are some students with a kindergarten/year 1 reading level, this could be invaluable to those students in continuing to build their literacy skills;
- linked to the above point, funding for programs to support those who are not achieving academically could be better utilised to support students across both the high school and primary school with the close location of these programs to both the high school and the primary school. This could result in our students and young people increasing their academic outcomes, and thereby increasing their available options post-school;
- opportunities for those students who are excelling with their education in primary school to be extended further by creating additional opportunities to start to engage with high school content at an earlier age (as an example, students in year 6 who are able to work at a year 7 level for math could be supported by the high school teachers in continuing to develop their math literacy, with this support being able to be continued into their high school years. This is by no means limited to math);
- support students studying PDHPE and PDHPE related subjects by allowing them opportunities to develop sporting programs for young people and then implementing them and by assisting to organise the various sports carnivals that are held by both schools;
- provide increased opportunities for the students in the primary school to access a greater range of facilities. For example, the use of the High School's science labs to further develop their interest, knowledge and skills in science, especially for those students who need and should be extended in science;
- improving orientation and transition to high school opportunities for students

The above are just some of the educational benefits.

For the community and social considerations, locating the school on the proposed Majara / Gibraltar precinct would allow for the school to be integrated into the community and would support community service programs set up by the high school to better involve the students in the community and encourage them to give back to and support their community. We frequently hear complaints about the young people around town cause some mischief or make some bad decisions. We need to ensure that our young people feel connected to and valued by this town. Building this high school and making it our priority not only shows our young people that we value them and place importance on their education, it also provides a significantly greater ability to create opportunities for building their connection with our community.

Further, it supports the development of our local sporting and other groups within the community as young people are looking to participate in activities that are based in Bungendore rather than travelling to the area in which they go to school. This in turn encourages additional opportunities for new activities to be established in Bungendore, further supporting our young people in their own personal development, and the development of their connection to the community.

For families, the location allows for students to be at one central location. This is particularly important for those families who are travelling to attend Bungendore for school so that they are not having to attend multiple locations. It also supports those families where their high school student(s) are to collect, take home and care for during the afternoons any siblings at the primary school. Having this option for after school care reduces the demand on the current after school care options, meaning that places can be used by those who really need to use the after school care places.

The planned high school will not remove the park, and the park has negligible use during school hours. Further, as currently proposed, the planned high school will not affect those groups who do use the park, especially as the use of the park occurs outside of school hours. As a regular user of the school oval outside of school hours, I cannot foresee how the use of the park during school hours will detrimentally affect those who use it outside of school hours. We already have within the community an excellent example of an asset that is shared between the primary school and the council. The school hall is successfully shared between the school and the members of this community on a regular basis. We see the hall being used all year round for basketball, and this arrangement has been successfully in place for a large number of years. To then claim that shared assets do not work, as has been argued on many occasions, is disingenuous.

There is no logical reason to delay delivery of the high school or make further, and unnecessary, changes to the proposed design. To do so would be to the detriment of the many students who will benefit from the establishment of this school.

I am excited for this project to go forward for the growth and education to my family and the community.

This high school will be an amazing opportunity for our community, keep our kids and families local..

Closure of Majara Street. I ask that the attached document (BHS Traffic Flyer) be taken into account when the revised SSDA is reviewed. The paper sets out the results of a traffic survey counting vehicles currently using Majara Street in Bungendore. Given that neither QPRC nor the Department of Education has undertaken such a survey, a member of the community did it himself. In summary, closing Majara Street will divert at least 1700 vehicles per day onto residential streets. High school traffic will add a further 600, giving a total 2,300 vehicles every day which will be pushed onto residential streets – most of which will conflict with the pre-school and vehicles reversing in and out of the new parking to be built on Turallo Terrace.
In the meantime no information about the so-called traffic Traffic Assessments has been communicated to the wider community despite such recommendations contained in the SSDA documentation portions of which have been extracted and are detailed below:

The site is on a block bounded by Majara, Gibraltar and Butmaroo Streets and
Turrallo Terrace. As a new land use, the proposal will generate increased traffic and
parking movements around the site. A Transport Assessment was undertaken to
assess the potential travel impacts of the proposal.

• Consultation on the proposal indicates there is a strong perception among some
community members that the proposal will increase traffic and negatively impact on
the town’s road network

• The acquisition of the part of Majara Street effectively closes the public road. Under section
41 of the Roads Act, "A public road that is compulsorily acquired under this or any other Act
or law ceases to be a public road as a consequence of its compulsory acquisition." The land
is now vested in the Minister for Education and Early Learning following the acquisition on 26
April 2022 and ready for inclusion as part of the school site

• Traffic generation: the Transport Assessment (TA) considers the road network and associated closure of Majara Street will be able to accommodate the projected traffic movements from the school with sufficient road capacity. As a result, traffic generation associated with the proposal is likely to have a low impact on the community. This impact could be further enhanced by continuing to communicate with the community about the expected traffic movements and access plans, including publicly releasing the findings of the final TA.

• Transport Assessment (TA) was undertaken by GHD to identify and assess the potential travel impacts of the proposal. The TA assessed the capacity of the six intersections immediately surrounding the site to accommodate the proposal, with consideration of the Majara Street closure, the provision of two additional roundabouts, background traffic growth and maximum student numbers. The TA found that the surrounding road network can accommodate the school and would operate with space capacity during the peak morning and afternoon periods.

• Continue to communicate with the community about the closure plans for Majara Street and
subsequent traffic movements. Consideration should be given to advertising the final findings

None of the above has ever eventuated.

I refer to the attached paper: Review of social impact issues re. proposed Bungendore High School by Alison Ziller PhD, dated 29 Sep 22. The review adopts a largely critical analysis of the SIA position given out by the Dept of Education. The updated SIA and SIA Addendum (Appendices 11 and 11a) to the revised SSDA, are intrinsically flawed as Dept of Education proposes to transfer the entire costs of mitigating what are described as major and highly negative and likely, long term, social impact consequences to a third party (QPRC) that does not possess the expertise, the planning and financial resources, the budgetary headroom or the time available to replace the required infrastructure. I would like to see how the Department of Education responds to the cutting analysis provided by Dr Ziller.

I fully support and endorse this. As does my husband and other family members.
The location is actually great as it helps parents as the high school kids can meet up with the siblings from primary school and wait for parents together without parents having to worry.

See my attached objection

I absolutely support the need for a high school in Bungendore, to service not just the Village residents but also those in the broader catchment area who face very long commutes. However, I strongly object to the proposed location for a number of reasons.
I am appalled about the total inadequacy and inappropriateness of the proposed site. The size of site (2.9Ha) is already far below the published preferred area (4Ha) for a high school in regional NSW and does not allow for any expansion as the catchment population inevitably grows. The school will have capacity for 450 student and the Department of Education estimates that student numbers will reach 478 by 2026 - this means the school will exceed capacity within 3 years of opening.
I do not understand why you would shoehorn the high school into this location when there is plenty of alternative suitable greenspace available. I understand an alternative location which was more suitable was previously favoured until the former Deputy PM intervened.
I question if such an inadequate site can provide the necessary facilities and stimulating environment required to achieve quality educational outcomes. The ag plot is in a flood zone and is not capable of sustaining livestock full time. Using Mike Sherd Oval and sharing the primary school’s facilities should not be considered a viable solution.
Traffic and parking at this location is also a serious safety concern - the current plan wrongly assumes that senior students won’t drive to school and does not account for the childcare centre.
I also object to the demolition of the community funded pool, replacement of which is not funded and therefore not guaranteed. Travelling into Queanbeyan for a quick swim is not an adequate alternative.
This negatively impacts a number of other groups and landmarks as well – Scouts and Girl Guides, Abbeyfield, the War Memorial, Balladeers Place, railway station, existing residents – which would be avoided if an alternative location was found.
While this debate drags on, the current Bungendore Primary students lose their playground and have to share their limited facilities and the 2023 (and likely future) students of Bungendore High School face uncertainly and second rate facilities. I understand there is also a risk that legal action in relation to crown land and native title could be commenced if this proposal proceeds, causing further delays.
The school could be located at a number of alternative sites that would enable it to be operational far sooner and be much more fit for purpose, now and into the future. I urge you to reconsider and reject this proposal quickly so real progress towards a high school in Bungendore in a more suitable location can proceed.

I object to the proposal as per my attached sumbmission

I support a High School in Bungendore but I DO NOT support the proposed location.
The proposed location was decided by politicians and public servants with no consultation or involvement from the local community. It is a bad site choice and should be abandoned. This is not a suburban area where infill is required - it is a country town surrounded by greenfields, where the new high school should be located. The proposed location incorporating part of the town's Oval will destroy the town's character, cutting through the older, historic area of a charming country town and destroying the feel and amenity of this part of town.
There is no sensible reason to co-locate the primary and high school. It does not benefit either the primary or secondary students. Despite the predictions of increasing population growth in Bungendore, there will be no room to expand the high school without further impacting our precious Oval.
In addition, there are the issues of:
- disturbance of the historic grave in the south eastern corner the Oval. Despite the denial by heritage people it does exist. Ask any long term residents,
- the problems with creating a traffic bottleneck,
- the proximity to the Rail Yards and their contamination with Lead, Zinc and Copper
- the overwhelming objection of the majority of the local populace.
Bungendore's population will have to live with planners' mistakes. The planners and politicians don't. Planners and politicians will move on to another project and not see the consequences of their errors.
Residents and students are now beginning to see the consequences of poor planning with almost the entire primary school playground being turned into a temporary high school. It is unsightly, neither primary or secondary students will have adequate room to play and get fresh air, all in a rural setting where there should be plenty of space. I am particularly annoyed that because of poor planning and an inability of the NSW Government to move the high school to a greenfields site, the primary school children in particular are now adversely impacted by the temporary high school. And the footpath has been ruined by heavy vehicles.
Please move the location of Bungendore High School to a greenfields site with utmost priority.

The town would greatly benefit form a high school as it is growing and is no longer a small town

Good afternoon,

I think we can all agree this is a dogs breakfast proposal and the simple fact that it has become so hard to get a simple high school across the line pertains to the fact its a dogs breakfast of a proposal.

Now the 'temporary' high school has been put on the oval of the primary school which is unbelievably cruel to the primary school kids and offensive to what will be high school kids next year. I believe the temporary high school was put on the primary school oval to 1 - stick it to those who disagree with the proposed high school location and 2 - to get those who were impartial in agreance as it now has a tangible affect on the primary school and will look more of an eye sore to the village (for those who have problem with the aesthetics of the proposed high school location.

If this high school is gauged against new schools of the same calibre it is blatantly obvious this is money shuffling expedition by the Queanbeyan/Palerang council. The lies told to the community, the heresy from people from council and fact that many important pieces of information have been redacted for the community simply shows there are underlying agendas for this project - principally pertaining to money.

I fully support a high school for Bungendore, however fully disagree with the proposed location of the high school and believe it is time to restart this whole project with alternative locations.
Thank you
Saraya

The township of Bungendore is growing at a fast rate. Having a local high school will enable the children - including some of my own - to participate fully in the curriculum of activities both educational and social, without having to spend long periods on transport to get from our rural location into Queanbeyan which is the next nearest school option. I support the development of a high school to meet the needs of the local community.

I support the Bungendore high school and location. The design of the high school has been professionally completed and meets the requirements of students. The location is excellent and so well planned for parents with different aged kids from nearby school facilities of preschool and primary. One drop off location for all kids is a great idea, well done. It is also a great opportunity to share some facilities for all school aged children within close proximity. Thankyou to the team behind the planning and development of the Bungendore high school, an excellent job and greatly appreciated by the local community. We look forward to the commencement of the building of the permanent high school. We’re enrolled for 2023 however we hope for this permanent high school to be completed by 2024 or earlier.

The site is too small for the size of the catchment area. There is not enough room for expansion in an area adjacent to Canberra with a large population explosion projected for Bungendore, Sutton, Gundaroo, Tarago etc in the next fifteen years. Put the school on a site where that expansion can be accommodated.
Do not damage the historic village unnecessarily. As a young country we need to cling to our past and embrace our future appropriately in an appropriate space

I am in support of the Bungendore High School, including the location, design, and amenities it offers to the community.

I am objecting to the project on the following grounds:
* The sight for the Bungendore High School is below the recommended size stipulated by the Department of Education.
* Bungendore will loose valuable central community assets including the swimming pool funded and built by the community, the community centre which provides an essential resource and meeting place for many community groups.
* The parking along Turralla terrace is both unsightly and more importantly unsafe, showing no regard for safety for the children and parents of the pre-school.
*The will be an increase risk to primary school children in the area due to a significant increase in traffic bought about by the closure of Majara street.
This proposed school has been very ill thought out or not thought out at all in regards to providing the community with a suitable and functional high school. All your shiny brochures can not turn this sow's ear into a silk purse.