Posted: 06.05.2021
The state’s Independent Planning Commission has given the go-ahead to a multimillion-dollar upgrade of a private college in Sydney’s eastern suburbs.
Moriah War Memorial College Association sought planning approval to redevelop its senior school campus, located at 101 York Road and 1 and 3 Queens Park Road, Queens Park. As part of the $81.7-million redevelopment, a number of existing buildings, structures and trees at Moriah College would make way for construction of a multi-storey science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics building; new independent learning centre; outdoor learning areas; as well as new pedestrian and vehicular access points, including on-site drop-off and pick-up area.
There would also be a phased increase in the Kindergarten-to-Year 12 student population from 1,680 to 1,970 over a 15-year period.
The Department of Planning, Industry & Environment’s whole-of-government assessment concluded the Project is in the public interest and approvable subject to conditions; however, it came to the Commission for determination because of objections from Waverley Council and the community.
The community’s key concerns – raised in written submissions to the Department and Commission, as well as at a public meeting on 15 April 2021 – centred around traffic and parking impacts, built form, visual impacts, and the proposed increase in the student population.
After carefully considering all the evidence, Commissioners Peter Duncan (Panel chair) and Adrian Pilton have today (Thursday 6 May 2021) determined to approve, subject to strict conditions, the concept proposal for the development and associated Stage 1 works.
The Commission concluded the Project is in the public interest, finding:
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