Historic Sydney public school modifications spark renewed concern in community

By ERIN MODARO

Renewed concerns over the redevelopment of one of Sydney’s oldest public schools have arisen as new modifications to the plans are up for public exhibition.

Fort Street Public School, established in 1849, sits atop Observatory Hill in Millers Point; a stones throw from the south point of the Harbour Bridge with panoramic views of Sydney. The school was approved for an upgrade to facilities in October of 2021. The second round of modifications to the approved plans have recently been released.

While council supports the state government’s initiative to provide funding and upgrades to Sydney’s public schools, several issues were highlighted in the redevelopment process of Fort Street school.

City of Sydney council passed a motion requesting that the Lord Mayor write to Ministers in support of “evidenced-based heritage outcomes for Observatory Hill”. Councillor Linda Scott, who tabled the motion, recognised concerns raised around the impacts to heritage, transparency in budget, and community consultation.

Heritage impact

Near the school sits the remnants of the first observatory ever built in Sydney, which was transformed into a museum. A 2020 Heritage Impact report for developments in Barangaroo said the observatory building has “exceptional significance in terms of European culture”.

Also in the vicinity of the school is the a historic Bureau of Meteorology building, established in 1922, which operated for the Weather Bureau for over 70 years.

In May of 2021, the National Trust, who’s historic headquarters are also located atop Observatory Hill near the school, reported that the plans for upgrades did not comply with the Conservation Management Plan (CMP).

The CMP states that to protect the heritage value of the historic area, the most “dominant building” on the hill must be the Meteorology (MET) building. However, original plans for the Fort Street School upgrade increased the height and bulk of a key building, named building J, beyond the scope of the MET.

A spokesperson from the Department of Education told City Hub in 2021 that the purpose of the height increase in building J was to improve access to the MET building rooftop outdoor learning space and to support educational outcomes.

Members of the Millers Point Residents Community Group raised concerns over the impact the new school would have in the heritage area.

“Essentially, [the CMP] says that the meteorology building, which is obviously the oldest building on that site, should be the highest building there,” Frank, a local resident from the Millers Point Community group said.

Frank said that when it comes to the local community’s concerns with the Fort Street School plans, “heritage is the most important thing”.

Now that the final modifications have been released by the state government, Frank says the newest plans go against what the community submitted in response to the first modification document.

“It actually goes completely against them” Frank said. Modification 2 includes increases to height and bulk in several buildings in the school.

Along with heritage concerns, questions have been raised about the steep $68 million price tag associated with the rebuild. Sydney Council recognised a lack of transparency surrounding why the redevelopment is costing the government so much.

Cr Scott’s motion cites a “lack of transparency surrounding the NSW Government’s $68 million budget”, associated with the school modifications.

According to the Education HQ, Fort Street Public School, which has temporarily relocated to a campus at Blackwattle Bay, has approximately 250 students enrolled this year. While the school has significant heritage value in itself, the $68 million budget equates to around $272,000 per student.

The council motion says that the National Trust has written to the Budget Estimate Committee with questions about the expenditure.

Consultation concerns

Residents say there has also been a certain amount of issues with the consultation process. An error in a letter to residents and landowners had an incorrect end date for public exhibition of modification 2, leading to confusion over how long people had to make submissions.

The NSW government gave 14 days of public exhibition for modification 2, which a spokesperson from the Department of Planning and Environment said is the minimum amount required for modification applications in State Significant Developments. 

The public exhibition on modification 2 has been extended by one month in light of the error. Submissions will now close on January 15, 2023.

“We encourage everyone to have their say on the proposal by 15 January 2023, with all feedback received needed to be addressed by the applicant before the Department can begin its rigorous assessment,” the DPIE spokesperson said.