St Edwards Tamworth drop-off zone approved despite being an ‘imperfect solution’

The development application will see Wagola St extended by 170m into the school, allowing students to be collected by their parents without hindering traffic on the busy Hillvue St.

The school’s advisory board chair Peter Munroe said the last thing St Edwards wanted to do was enrage their neighbours.

“But we have an obligation to protect students, manage traffic and focus on a duty of care,” he said.

“At the end of the day, that is a high traffic zone, with some 600 kids that we have a duty of care to protect on a daily basis.”

The application was first made in November 2015, but due to number of issues relating to the impact on residents including traffic, noise and privacy, it wasn’t considered by council until December 2017, where the decision was deferred.

Cr Mark Rodda inspected the site and was shocked at the traffic impact on Hillvue Rd during school pick up and drop off times, and while the solution was “not perfect”, it was the “best under the circumstances”.

“I understand there are a number of concerns by adjoining residents, but unfortunately the school doesn't have anywhere else to go,” Cr Rodda said.

Deputy mayor Helen Tickle said she felt for the residents along Wagola Street.

“I do realise its an inconvenience for all the residents of that street,” Cr Tickle said.

“But the school has undertaken to only open the gates during pick up and drop off times, and in the report it quite clearly says its not for pedestrian access, which the school will be policing closely.

“Unfortunately it is the only way to provide better and safe access to the school.”

Cr Juanita Wilson said she was reluctant to vote for the proposal, but felt it was the “only solution left”.

“Some things that come before us are more difficult than other, and they’re often not huge things, but things that effect people in a very personal way – this issue is one of those,” Cr Wilson said.

“I do empathise with the residents, and I trust the school and the community work together to achieve the best outcome in this situation.”

Cr Glenn Inglis the development application had very strict conditions, and encouraged residents to contact council if they were being breached.

“There will be some unhappy residents, that sometimes unfortunately happens,” he said.

“But we try to keep that to an absolutely minimum.”