Epping South Public School

Epping South Public School

SSD-8873789

State Govt is planning to build a new primary school on the site of the old TAFE college and for up t 1,000 children

The State Government plans to build a completely new primary school, to be called Epping South PS on Chelmsford Ave in Epping. Construction is due to start in October 2021, with Stage one (the main buildings and classrooms for 600 children) to be opened in 2023, followed by Stage 2 in 2028 (increase to 800 students and additional building) and then 1,000 - date to be decided. 

This is a much needed additional school for Epping that will ease some of the pressures on nearby Epping West PS, and will accommodate families that will move into further high density development planned in the town centre and surrounds.  

Location: 

The site is a long rectangle block that used to house a TAFE college at the end of Chelmsford Ave. It is bordered to the north by quiet residential streets, and to the south by the new Epping Park unit blocks. Current buildings on the site are derelict and the it is overgrown, but it does include an area of significant ecological value including 25 remnant mature Blue Gums. 

The school entrance and buildings will face to the north west corner and open onto Grimes Lane - currently a very quiet narrow road. It is proposed to extend this laneway to connect with Second Ave  and offer a one way loop access to the front of the school. 

Facilities:

The initial construction includes the main facilities - library, hall, admin, staff parking, COLA etc. Later additions will add more classrooms through a modular block addition. It is proposed to have an onsite after school care facility. 

Landscaping:

The site falls away sharply to the west where the more sensitive forested areas are. It is proposed to use some cleared areas for supervised play, and retain most of the trees in this section. 

Access: 

The school will mark a major change for local residents with a high volume of cars accessing Grimes Lane to use the Kiss and Drop Zone. The plans talk of encouraging bicycle use and walking to the school but these both involve having to take quite a loop if coming from the Epping Park apartments. Both noise and traffic impacts need to be considered. 

Pedestrians:

New pathways are essential for this site as the current network has many gaps, or informal/rough tracks through bush to reach neighbouring streets. The proposal lacks detail on how new paths will be costed and built - will this be part of the construction or are they expecting Council to do this work? Due to the slope to the west, flooding and stormwater has to be a consideration. 

Also, there does not appear to be a pedestrian access gate from the southern boundary. This means that all the kids from the units around Mobbs Lane will have to walk or drive right around via Edenlee and Chelmsford to reach the school. This is sheer madness. 

Car Parking: Why is a large, hard surface staff car park proposed? The location is a safety risk to children and it is taking up valuable space that could provide more outdoor play and sports facilities. An underground car park for staff cars would be a much better solution. 

Overshadowing: the 3 storey building will overshadow the limited playground and make it very dark in winter for children and staff. 

Capacity:

It is important to consider this new school in conjunction with changes planned at the neighbouring Epping West PS (EWPS), which has been over crowed in recent years. Here is an outline of the capacity proposals between the two schools:

2021: Epping West currently has 1,300 students, with many temporary buildings
 
2023: Epping West refurbishment (comprising of two new buildings) opens but school numbers stay at 1,300. However, some temporary buildings removed. 
           Epping South opens with 600 students 
 
So at this point there is a net gain of 600 places. 
 
2028: Epping West numbers are planned to be reduced by 300 to 1,000. This will be done after catchment changes with students directed to the new school.
          Epping South extension opens with extra 200 places. But this is by moving one of the new EWPS buildings over to Epping South PS. 
 
Therefore in 2028 there is a net gain of 500 places, which is actually a drop of 100 places from the situation in 2023. Will this really happen? 
 
At a date yet to be confirmed,  Epping South is planned to increase by a further 200 places.
 
This whole timeline and plan has to be questioned. Why move a building from EWPS to ESPS after five years? Will a net gain of 500 places by 2028 be sufficient for an area that still has a lot of new development planned? What alternatives were explored? 

Main building from Grimes Lane

Main building from Grimes Lane
New primary school proposal - SSD-8873789

This State Significant Planning Proposal is now on exhibition until 5.00pm on 23 June 2021.

We suggest you start by reading this overview here

The full paperwork can be found here


Submissions can be made by hitting the Make a Submission link on the planning page above. You will need to register an account but you can then attach a written submission.

Site map

map of site

The main proposed building

Northern facade from Grimes Lane