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2002 (c) Peninsula Community Access Newspaper Inc

 

Residents oppose church-school development

 

Three petitions, with a total of 163 signatures, have been received by Gosford Council from residents of Bensville, objecting to the development of new school and church facilities at 39 Bundaleer Cr, Bensville.

The objection was on the basis that:

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The proposal did not comply with the minimum area requirements of the Department of Education.

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The current use was in breach of the original development consent conditions.

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An adverse impact on Lot 4 would result from the proposed right-of-carriageway access to the proposed church.

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Traffic, carparking, noise and air pollution would increase.

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It was incompatible with the surrounding rural environment.

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Increased run off would exacerbate the existing drainage problems in Bundaleer Cr.

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The petition listed problems with the current traffic situation at the school:

Cars routinely parked on the nature strip adjacent to and opposite the school, narrowing Bundaleer Cr to one lane only.

Limited visibility for cars turning out of the school's carpark had resulted in several near misses for residents and students.

A bus operator had used the school's carpark as its bus stop, endangering students, often having difficulty turning the bus due to parked cars.

Residents opposite the school had no space for their visitors to park, not only on weekdays, but also on weekends, due to the extensive use of the facilities.

No footpath had been constructed, as required in the original DA.

Congestion extended to traffic turning into and out of Bundaleer Cr.

The petitioners requested that the council's traffic committee have an on-site inspection together with an RTA and Police Traffic Services representative at a time of maximum usage, such as 8.50am on a school day.

Council agenda P.017, February 26