AFTER missing a deadline to start building works for a new high school, Rockingham Montessori School has applied for a renewal of its building application with the City.
The school’s proposal has had a chequered history. It has previously been unable to meet conditions for development approval.
The main points of contention are site access and the lack of an adequate bushfire management plan.
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READ NOWA report at the City’s February meeting said as the December development had been missed it now faced a new hurdle in no longer having educational approval due to the change of government.
One of the most contentious aspects of the school’s new location at the old Munja Gardens Function Centre site was it had only one access road which came directly off the 100km/h zoned Mandurah Road.
The proposal by Rockingham Montessori School to build a new school on Lots 11, 700 and 701 Mandurah Road was previously rejected by the City, but was returned to the City of Rockingham for another decision after the applicant appealed to the State Administrative Tribunal.
Councillor Leigh Liley said the site was a “catastrophe waiting to happen”.
“The development fails to compile with fire safety regulations and there are transport issues,” she said.
“They said they were going to hire a bus to pick up all the students, but believe you me it is a tinderbox up there.”
All but two councillors – Mark Jones and Andrew Burns – voted that the renewal of approval for the school be rejected. Cr Jones also cited an ‘impartiality’ interest as he had enrolled his children at the school.
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