Newcastle Grammar School - Park Campus

Re: Insufficient traffic plan and management for Corlette Street has been submitted and a further proposal ought to be required.

The plan (by focusing on the traffic assessment only at the site and not on larger basis such as 10m down Corlette Street), misleadingly (though not necessarily deliberately), suggests that Corlette Street (the East Boundary of the proposal) is a consistent width along the length of the block on which the development is planned. It is not. It narrows at the point of the proposed development site. At present, the traffic managament of vehicles delivering or dropping of children to the site on the Eastern Boundary is insufficient and glosses over the present traffic problems on the Eastern Boundary in Corlette Street.

The planned kiss and drop off point is of limited utility (if any) to traffic management in circumstances where there remains parking on the Eastern boundary in Corlette Street that causes congestion and either prevents or delays (at peak periods) access to that facility whilst dirupting South bound traffic. With the increase in students planned for the campus, rather than alleviate the traffic oncgestion that already exists in Corlette Street between 8:30AM and 9:30AM and 2:30PM and 3:30PM, it will aggravate present traffic conditions.

The traffic assessment conveniently ignores that with parking on both sides of Corlette Street on the site's Eastern Boundary there is only sufficient room for one way traffic causing gridlock and congestion during the aforementioned hours both on Corlette Street and flowing around onto Parkway Avenue for traffic turning North on Corlette Street. Measuring peak traffic volume and suggesting that Corelette St has the least traffic is not indicative, at all, of the actual issues in that roadway. An approach should be made to Google for the GPS data of the actual time spent by traffic navigating that section of roadway despite is allegedly having a lesser peak traffic volume. That would show that the traffic delays and congestion, putting the actual volume aside, are higher than both the Western (Union St) and Northern (Parkway Avenue) boundaries.

The issue can be solved by making the entire length of the Eastern Boundary (the Western side of Corlette St) a 'No Stopping' zone, preventing drop off and pick up on Corlette Street (save for the Eastern Side of that street (across the street from the site where residents park). This would facilitate (indeed necessitate) the use of the designed 'kiss n'drop' and allow for cueing of traffic on Corlette Street to occur only in relation to North bound traffic waiting to access the Kiss n Drop Off lane.

This would allow South bound traffic to flow without obstruction - which, at present, it currently does not.

This development will result in an increase in the number of vehicle movements in the surrounding streets. Corlette Street is quite narrow and is already presenting a hazard to both road and pedestrian users. Tooke Street is also heavily utilised at the moment, and this development will result in further congestion, and the associated risks to users, in the local streets.

Currently heavy vehicle movements in Tooke Street, e.g. Bishop Tyrrell school bus, are causing damaging to my house, and to the adjacent houses. If this development has associated bus traffic, this problem will also be exacerbated.

Good Morning,
Just as a bit of background, I have recently retired after 32years of service with Transport for NSW and my career involved project development of which I am quite experienced in many aspects that are covered in the SSD for the Newcastle Grammar School Park Campus.
Firstly I'd like to point out that the traffic and parking assessment that has been carried out by Intersect Traffic and forms a major component of the development application is flawed in it's modelling on the impacts to surrounding intersections and local traffic. The traffic count that the modelling is based on was carried out in November and December 2020. This was at a time of Covid 19 restrictions with a vast number of people working from home and not travelling into the city, therefore the vehicle movements counted during these times do not provide an accurate indication of the actual traffic numbers and the fact that the majority of the car parking spaces on Union St are occupied by workers who park there and then walk the short distance to their place of work. These places are generally all taken by 7.30am until they return in the late afternoon. Having been a resident in the adjacent building on Union St for over 6 years I have first hand knowledge of the current impacts. As a result of the times that the traffic counts where undertaken, the traffic modelling is then using incorrect vehicle counts to provide estimates for LOS in 2021 and LOS in 2031. Throughout the traffic study there are no dates or times associated with any of the traffic studies and then as stated in Section 9.0 Traffic Generation and Trip Distribution, the findings are based on traffic rates in the USA. How can this be representative of conditions in our country? In addition, there is a redevelopment of a 4 storey residential building currently under way on the corner of Parkway Avenue and Corlette Street, adjacent to the school which will add additional traffic.
My next point refers to the vehicle access for the proposed kiss and ride. It's noted the the sight distance for the exit onto Union St is in excess of 150m (section 11, Vehicle Access). I have attached photos of this proposed exit location which clearly shows there is zero sight distance to the north for vehicles to safely exit the school and turn in either direction onto Union St. This is also at a location that currently provides the only 2 disabled carparking sites in the area. It is also noted that the proposed exit point is at the start of a 2 lane section of the southbound side of Union St leading into the intersection. The report also makes the assumption that the kiss and ride will only be used during times when the speed limits on surrounding streets are 40kph. This again is an incorrect assumption as there are vehicles using the current facilities at times outside the school time zones. Furthermore, the existing pathway on the southbound side of Union St at the proposed exit is a shared pathway for pedestrians and cyclists which creates additional safety concerns with traffic exiting at this point.
The traffic report then concludes (section 16 Conclusions) that "the current traffic conditions are operating satisfactorily with good levels of service". I refer to my first point that the studies have been undertaken during Covid 19 restrictions and are definitely not a true indication of the traffic volumes of this area at the time of the studies. There is also a suggestion that the school will endeavour to introduce a green travel plan to encourage the use of public transport. As a resident of the area we have consistently written to the school over the last 6 years voicing our concerns about the traffic conditions during school drop off and pick up, however nothing has ever come of this other than an email responding with a thank you. I therefore find it extremely unlikely that the school have the capacity to introduce measures to encourage other transport means. They have had a number of years to already do this and have done nothing and considering that eventually they are proposing to more than double the student numbers I have grave concerns for the impact on the surrounding road network and in particular to all the residents that surround the school. I also question what other options have they looked at other than the kiss and ride?

Regards
Tom McKenna
Unit 217/123
Union St, Cooks Hill

I live next door to this development application.
Can I please apply for a 1-week extension to submit feedback submission?

The Traffic analysis is unrealistic as it was conducted during Covid19 restrictions that had large numbers of people working from home and a lot of schools with remote learning.
In the past 6 years we (the people next door) have observed the frequent chaotic traffic conditions particularly around 3pm. There is often gridlock in Collette St or Parkway and sometimes in Union St. Just recently there was gridlock on 7 and 10 Dec 21. On 7th it was just in Parkway caused by an inconsiderate parent stopping the traffic flow while waiting for a spot to become free in the kerb lane. On 10th it was a complete stoppage with traffic stationary in Union St up past Tooke St, no traffic able to pass South being blocked by vehicles wanting to Left turn into Parkway. Traffic built up on Parkway from the West and Union St from The Junction.
This inconsiderate and illegal behaviour seems to be endemic with a succession of NGS parents over the years.

The Kiss and Ride driveway has a major problem in trying to exit onto Union St. Doing a Right turn would be suicide and a Left turn would not have any right of way over the heavy (at 3pm) traffic in Union St. THERE IS A GREAT NEED FOR A BETTER STRATEGY TO MANAGE THIS. Any parent delaying an exit would cause a backup extending into Collette then Parkway etc

We are dismayed that 33 mature trees are being removed particularly trees #1 to #13 making way for the Kiss and Ride driveway. Why cant it be moved 2 metres to the South to allow it to clear the root zone. Trees #1 to #5 could have the branches hanging over our fence removed to balance them. These trees are a beautiful visual barrier as well as being inhabited by a large number of birds including Frogmouth Owls, Currawongs, Butcher Birds, Red Breasted Parrots and Honeyeaters or Shrikes.
The trees are also a barrier to a number of sport balls travelling over the fence.

During construction the proposal to move the Bus Stop 90 metres up Union St effectively wipes out 14 parking spots as well as 2 disabled spots. These are used by NGS staff , CBD workers and delivery couriers to our apartments. What alternatives are offered?

What consideration has been given to the NCC Cycleway proposed for Collette St?

Are there going to be any pedestrian restrictions along the Union St frontage during construction?
A number of our residents (who are of advanced age and/or frail) walk to The Junction on this side of the road and need to cross the road at controlled crossings.

In general we require the NGS to fully address our concerns about the traffic and commit to changing the behaviour of the minority of the parents that cause the chaos

This submission is on behalf of my wife and i who live on the third floor of the adjoining apartment block in Union Street. We trust that our concerns are given due consideration as immediate neighbours who over look the school grounds from our second bedroom and are dirrectly affected by this proposal.

To address the increased noise from (a) the construction and (b) the increased student numbers, surrounding property owners may need to install sound-proofing to windows and doors facing the development. Is there a means for affected property owners to claim financial compensation from the project to assist with the purchase and installation of additional sound-proofing?
Thanks.

I am a local residents with school aged children who do not attend Newcastle Grammar School. I would like to lodge my concerns regarding the proposal to dramatically increase the size of the school to house 640 students from its current 256. My main concern is around road safety. The traffic report provided has one fundamental flaw. Corlette St does not allow 2 cars to drive past each other at once in its current state in front of the school campus. It relies on one car stopping in the wider section of the street for the other car to pass safely. My experience with the driving parent population of this school is they generally lack courtesy and it makes this section of street dangerous for pedestrians and motorist alike. The proposed increase in car movements and the kiss and drop zone provide some safety to the Newcastle Grammar students alighting from their cars but no safety to the children using the bus stop right near the exit of the kiss and drop zone on Union St. The bottle neck whilst waiting for a gap in the Union St traffic will be problematic and has not been addressed by the traffic report or current plans. If the exit allows both left and right turns the bottle neck will be enormous. There is a probability that the car movements could increase by at least 600 movements a day on top of current load. This is a very small residential street and the surrounding streets are busy. I am concerned that if the practices of the current parent population was to be reflected in larger numbers accelerating quickly to get into a 'gap in traffic' on Union St, children waiting to get on and off buses here would be in significant danger of high energy trauma and significant injury. The volume of car parks provided would not offset the number of staff when considering itinerant and auxiliary staff even when considering some may walk to work. I feel the proposal of expansion will negatively impact on the ability for residents to park who do not have off street parking. The traffic report demonstrates a high volume of traffic for a small suburban st already and such a significant increase will also come with an increase risk for those around. I hope that a more accurate and transparent traffic assessment is made with the proposed plan to reflect the expansion and volume of car movements that pose a true risk for local children who do not have the privilege or access to a kiss and drop zone. Thank you for considering my objection.

Please note I am very tired its very late at night and I have completed this very basic submission. I have not even proof read the document as I don't want to miss the deadline. I would have liked more time to comprehensively complete a more professional submission but I was not granted more. I live right next to this development and there are many many more issues that I have no time left to read everything and respond more professionally.

I object to this proposal as it exceeds the surrounding height limit of10m. Locals are very concerned about the current congestion in surrounding local streets and to add so much more capacity means even more parents dropping off and picking up their children. On this basis the proposed “kiss and drop off” drive through would need to have a left turn only so traffic can only enter from the south (Parkway Ave direction) not from the north (via Tooke & Corlette Sts). The exit onto Union Street should be left turn only as well.

FROM: Cooks Hill community Group Inc
RE: SSD-13895306 - Newcastle Grammar School Park Campus

Cooks Hill Community Group raises the following issues in relation to the proposed development.

Traffic management and parking in Corlette St:
We note the proposed “kiss & drop” drive through from Corlette St through to Union St. This proposal looks to be generally positive and may help ameliorate the significant current issues with school related traffic and parking in Corlette St. (Note that currently it not possible for two vehicles to pass in this section of Corlette St when there are vehicles parked at the curb). However, the proposed increase in school population will generate significantly more traffic in the vicinity of the site. Noting that Corlette St narrows significantly along the northeast boundary of the school there will be a high risk of queuing of vehicles waiting to enter the kiss & drop drive through to block traffic access through Corlette St. This would be acute if kiss & drop off traffic was approaching from both directions in Corlette St. Vehicles waiting to turn right into the kiss & drop off are likely to block through traffic in Corlette St for significant periods and queue back into the residential area.
To alleviate this potential issues there should be a “left turn only” into the kiss & drop drive through. All traffic should approach from Parkway Avenue. As well as eliminating the “waiting to turn right” issue this would reduce the volume of school related traffic in the adjoining residential streets which are classified as local roads, zoned 40kmh/Local Traffic Area and are also a designated cycling route.
We note and support the Traffic Assessment proposal of a morning and afternoon No Stopping/Clearway along the school frontage on the southwest side of Corlette St to allow kiss & drop off traffic to queue back toward Parkway Avenue.
We acknowledge these issues may be for local council (City of Newcastle) to consider but see it as important to be incorporated as part of the overall proposal and vital to the success of the kiss & drop drive through.

Excess height:
The adjoining and surrounding area has a 10m height standard under the Newcastle Local Environment Plan. The height of the proposed Stage 1 building, at 16.425m, grossly exceeds this and has a significant negative impact on the surrounding area and streetscape.
In relation to the comparison of the proposed height to the height of the adjoining Eclipse Apartments (five storeys including ground level carpark) it is important to note that the consent authority for that development, the Hunter Joint Regional Planning Panel, approved the Eclipse Apartments on the condition of the removal of the planned fifth level due to the gross exceedance of the 10m height standard (50% exceedance). The applicant subsequently lodged a new DA to add back the fifth level. Council failed to act on this DA in the required time and it became a deemed refusal. The applicant then appealed to the Land & Environment Court which approved the fifth floor but, importantly, noted that the top level's significant setback from Union St ameliorated the negative impact of the height exceedance. The proposed Stage 1 building has no equivalent setback from Union St and therefore has a significantly higher visual impact on the surrounding environment than the adjoining Eclipse Apartments, which have a height of approximately 11.5m to Union St.
A more appropriate height of the proposed Stage 1 building would be maximum 11.5m to Union St.

Yours sincerely
Cooks Hill Community Group Inc.

The NGS park campus really needs to find a new site to cope with its growth. It is simply too small for a proposed increase from 256 students to 680 (almost triple). NGS had an opportunity to buy the neighbouring 'Bimet Lodge' site in 2011 and chose not to. That site is now apartments built 50% above the height limit. The NGS proposal is even higher. As a very well funded private school, Newcastle Grammar (park and city) campuses deal with their inadequate site areas by using/overusing public sporting fields nearby, such as National Park, union st Cooks Hill. This proposal is going to exacerbate this demand which ruins the amenity for local residents and sporting clubs that rely on (and have paid for) the public facilities. For example, the Cooks Hill NPL soccer club has invested over $100,000 recently resurfacing the pitch, which is then torn up by NGS, particularly over the winter months.
The traffic on Corlette and Tooke St during drop off and pick up is currently chaotic. its appears that every child rides in a large urban SUV and the parents are forced to / believe each of them is entitled to park across and in driveways of residents. The proposals traffic study does not adequately address this issue as it does not force parents to use the new northern thoroughfare. Common sense tells us that the Corlette - Tooke - Union route will continue and be even more chaotic. Either this route needs to be traffic managed (lollipop person) during drop and pick up periods or a permanent block (cul-de-sac) needs to be installed (at least trialed) at the Tooke-Union or Corlette-Tooke intersection. How many more kids do we want to see hit by cars?
The NGS proposal is an unsuitable band-aid to the fundamental issue of inadequate land. What will they do in several years when demand is for 1200 students? NGS should be encouraged to find a larger site now that is suitable for a private school of its professed stature that includes its own sport and rec facilities al-la Macquarie college and HVGS. Given the powerful business folks involved i doubt the poor old Government panel will have the guts to do what is right (for both NGS in the long run and the rest of the community) and reject this application. For disclosure, i have moved from Sydney wont pay Sydney private school equivalent fees (they actually have the facilities) to send my kids to NGS so they can get bused around Newcastle to use mostly public facilities.

I reside in the residential area which borders the school.
There are a number of concerns regarding the proposal including:
The school has a small footprint of approximately 1,000 square metres. It is proposed to nearly double the size of the school population in the first phase and with a view of nearly trebling the size in the next phase. The amount of open space for the primary school students available in the future is extremely questionable. The nearby Junction Primary School has a significantly larger footprint and is a good comparison.
It is proposed to allow construction on Saturday. This is problematic for all residents surrounding this project. The property is surrounded by medium density residential housing on three sides. Residents need to be given respite from construction noises. Opposite the property is National Park and depending on the time of year for the construction the park is very busy on Saturday mornings with junior sport. Parking is also a premium in the area on Saturdays. The proposal indicates there will be no issues but this is far from the case especially during construction.
The school is bounded by Union Street, Parkway and Corlette Street. Union Street is used extensively for workers in the Newcastle area during business hours. During construction additional parking in these streets will be used regardless of the proposal to "ferry" workers from Bar Beach. Movement / parking of large construction vehicles outside of Eclipse Apartments will impact on the local residents.
Corlette Street is very narrow in the vicinity of the school especially during school hours and generally only allows one vehicle to pass if vehicles are parked on either side of the road. It is also a public cycleway. Parkway is one way outside the school, is narrow and is also a cycleway. Construction vehicles will impact on these streets. Also it is proposed for a one way drop off road to be constructed inside the school grounds (taking away further footprint from limited school grounds) meaning parents need to drive in Parkway, turn into Corlette and drive through the school. After dropping off their child/ren parents turn left onto Union Street where they are met with traffic lights at Parkway. With the near doubling / trebling of student numbers this will lead to significant congestion (especially in Corlette Street). Regardless of the project submission a large number of students are dropped off at the school by private vehicles.
There are real concerns regarding sound emanating from the school impacting on the comfort of the surrounding residents facing the school. There is currently a row of trees on the school grounds which blocks sound between the school and Eclipse Apartments. This row of trees is in the vicinity of where the internal road is proposed. Will these trees be cut down removing the noise/visual barrier?
A number of residences overlook the proposed construction site and the comfort of the residents will be directly impacted during the construction phase. This is a defined major project taking place in medium density residential housing.
Outside school noise is currently on ground level. It is proposed to have a third floor play area during phase one of the project. This will raise the sound to a much higher height (level with the top floor of surrounding residences). Is it proposed to erect sound barriers to prevent interference with the comfort of surrounding residents?
The existing school is in a clearly defined flood plain. Is it in the best future interests of the school to significantly increase the school population in a clearly restricted footprint or perhaps look for a more suitable location. In the event of a flood the plan is simple. The children have no safe exit from the school but will have to remain on the property on higher floor levels. Is this the best solution for primary school students?
The Newcastle Grammar School draws students from within the Hunter region. There is no specific need for the school to remain in its current location if significant growth is required. If it is important for Newcastle Grammar to expand its primary school by nearly doubling, then trebling its student numbers then a more suitable location should be found to enable the children to have the space they need to learn and grow. Surely this is in their best interests and will provide the best outcome for them.
There will be significant impact on the local residents during the construction phase of this project. When is it due to commence? How long will it last?

I am a elderly woman and reside in an apartment which is north facing, directly adjacent to the Newcastle Grammar School where the building works will take place. Therefore, I am a resident who is likely to be maximally impacted by the proposed building works.
The 'noise impact statement' provided by SLR Consulting Australia Pty Ltd, indicates that those in close proximity are certain to be impacted by excessive decibels of noise that may cause distress and vibration that may cause damage to the building in which I reside.
In accord with these findings, my apartment residents require guarantee that construction noise and dust will be within legal and medical guidelines and not at any stage exceed levels stipulated in relevant legislation that are deemed safe for human health and wellbeing.
I object to any building works that put at risk the occupants of my unit's health and wellbeing. I object to any building works that will make it difficult to function in the unit with daily tasks such as sleep, watch television, read, hold a conversation, work from home.
I am a senior and have a sleeping disorder. The noise impact statement prepared by SLR Consulting Australia Pty Ltd, indicates that noise levels will impact the elderly and those with sleeping disorders more so.
A further concern is that, particularly because I am senior and more susceptible to the COVID virus, my apartment is the safest and most practicable place to spend my time. It is necessary that I am safe and comfortable at all times within my unit and do not experience any distress due to noise and dust.

The noise impact statement prepared by SLR Consulting Australia Pty Ltd, recommends that building condition surveys be conducted both before the works and after the works are completed to ensure that no damage has occurred to my building or apartment. No damage to my apartment should result from the building works.

Please find attached City of Newcastle's advice on the proposed development.