By Danielle Kutchel
Tracks have been laid for a new school to be built at a prominent site in Narre Warren North.
On Monday 28 June, VCAT gave the go-ahead for Sidrah Gardens School on Belgrave-Hallam Road, Narre Warren North at the former miniature railway site.
The Islamic school will accommodate up to 160 students and will be based on environmental school models, similar to Steiner schools, where much of the learning takes place out in the school grounds.
According to Sidrah Gardens School chief executive officer Leyla Mohamoud, students will have the chance to get stuck into permaculture activities on site such as looking after farm animals, rejuvenating natural habitats and harvesting crops.
The Green Wedges Guardians Alliance had submitted that the school would be an urban use inappropriate in the green wedge zone.
According to the hearing documents, the Alliance had submitted that if the school’s application was approved then, together with two nearby existing schools and plans for four more, the green wedge would become “an urban education zone” which would place pressure on the urban growth boundary.
The Alliance was also concerned about how students would get to the school given the lack of public transport in the area and limited active transport options, as well as the impact on the landscape and biodiversity of the area and the potential bushfire risk.
But VCAT Member Katherine Paterson granted the permit, finding the Alliance’s concerns could be mitigated.
Ms Paterson did agree with the Alliance that “the school is located outside of the preferred location for schools”, which would normally encourage schools to be closer to metropolitan or major activity centres.
However, she found the Green Wedge A Zone Schedule 4 did allow for a school to be established.
Given the site’s former use as the miniature railway, Ms Paterson said turning it into a school would not be taking a site away from agricultural production.
Instead, she said the school’s proposed permaculture activities were “consistent with the surrounding agricultural uses”.
While many of the trees and plants at the site – which was heavily planted out as part of the miniature railway development – would need to be removed as part of bushfire protection measures, Ms Paterson said they were exempt from a planning permit as they had been planted there, rather than being remnant Indigenous trees.
The most critical patches of native vegetation in the area would not be “significantly impacted” by the build, she said.
Ms Paterson also said the school buildings would “sit comfortably” in the landscape.
The school will provide 82 car parks on site with a one-way ‘loop’ through the carpark that Ms Paterson found would be safe for students and parents.
A minibus system will also operate to get students to and from the school.
Ms Paterson granted the school a permit subject to several conditions, including that the school submit a master plan to Casey Council prior to commencing the build; the carpark be sealed; noise from the premises not exceed EPA limits; and the school’s hall, court and chapel be used exclusively for the school and not for external public use without the consent of the City of Casey.
