School Hall Project Report: On 14th April a meeting was held with the Board Working Group and Mark Baxter to discuss site options for the Hall. The appealing aspects and possibilities of various sites were discussed and the need to eliminate further consideration of any at the lower Western end of our school became evident.

The lower end of the school would not be feasible due to the risk factors implicit in such site selection. These risks include impact on timeline imperatives both pre and during construction, the possibility that the project would simply not be approved due to fire zone restrictions, potential for cost blowouts pre and during construction, potential for damage to existing building foundations (& associated cost and time impacts), disruption to classroom activities and student health and safety risks resulting from proximity of construction zone, ongoing concern re its actual performance as a bunker in the event of fire (referring to the underground option). Our Architect was instructed to continue developing a design at or near the original Master Plan site. That design is to be of sufficient detail at this stage in order for a Round 2 funding submission to be made.

Although under the State Environmental Planning Policies this would otherwise be considered a complying development and would not require DA approval from Council, as we are in a fire zone it is uncertain whether DA approval from Warringah Council will be required. A specialist planner has been engaged to determine whether we can avoid Council DA processes and use instead a private certifier. The Planner will, in any event, build our case for DA approval.

Once our application is lodged, work will be directed toward planning the detailed design and management of the project. The sketch design plan used in our funding submission will be available for viewing in the office, after May 8th.  Subsequent design work will also be made available to staff and parents so that we can receive the thoughts of as many people as possible. We shall keep you informed as to when new information is on display and how comments can be made. It is likely that displays will be set up in the Library and as a link on our web site.

Whenever possible we hope to share our excitement for this project with you. The Hall will bring a long anticipated completion to the school’s original master plan for this site and our whole staff are very enthusiastic about the initial plans.

A small delegation from the Blue Mountains Steiner School’s building project team visited us on April 21st. They came to look at our classroom buildings, of which they have heard glowing reports and to talk about project management. This meeting also provided another useful networking link for us.
… John Forman
Business Manager..