Question 1

Introduction

Accepted Answer

The Development Application to Brisbane City Council seeks approval for a small, independent, not-for-profit school on the grounds of the Brookfield Uniting Church.  This would enable Compass Independent School to utilise the Church's existing hall and teach one (1) multi-age, Prep to Year 6 class with a maximum of 38 children and 5 staff.  
 The addition of Compass Independent School to the community hub at Brookfield Uniting Church would offer this unique school to local families, form community partnerships and result in enhancements to the Church site.

Question 2

Co-Location

Accepted Answer

The Development Application proposes the co-location of an Educational Establishment on land located at 2 Upper Brookfield Rd, Brookfield.    Compass Independent School seeks to use the site's existing Church hall, playground and some outdoor space for one (1) class of children from Prep to Year 6 (capacity of 38 children and 5 staff).  This proposal does not include the Church building itself.    Both the Brookfield Uniting Church and the Uniting Church of Australia, Queensland Synod, give full support to the tenancy and development application.  The Church and other tenants would continue to use the hall after school hours and on weekends.

Question 3

Development Application

Accepted Answer

Compass Independent School submitted the Development Application (DA) for a Material Change of Use (MCU) to Brisbane City Council (BCC) on the 26th October 2021.   The current zoning of the site is CF4 – Community Facilities Zone (Community Purpose Zone Precinct).  Please note that the development application preserves this zoning.  The material change of use would approve Compass Independent School to operate an Educational Establishment.   Key points of the development application are: Use of the existing Church hall, playground and some outdoor space One multi-age class from Preparatory to Year 6 Maximum capacity of 38 children and 5 staff Operating hours 8:30 am – 3 pm Monday to Friday, term time  The development application is specific to the church hall and carparks only, and would be conditioned to the number of children and operating hours as outlined.

View the town planning report here

View the information request response here

View the full application on Brisbane City Council's Development.i

Question 4

Building Work

Accepted Answer

The proposed building work is limited to: The construction of two (2) new toilets; and The erection of a number of shade sails around the existing Church hall  View the proposed plans here.      Plan (above) courtesy of Allan Young Consulting Services

Question 5

Traffic Engineering

Accepted Answer

A traffic engineer has provided advice and expertise in the formulation of the proposal and plans, including a traffic engineering assessment.  This report, compiled by PTT, Traffic and Transport Engineering is available here.

Question 6

Access

Accepted Answer

The traffic engineering assessment recognises the sub-standard nature of the driveway in terms of its location (proximity to the intersection) and design (narrow width of 3.0 m).   The following upgrade works are proposed: Restricting operations at the access driveway to left-in / left-out, reinforced by line-marking / signage and the construction of a concrete median island on Rafting Ground Road Widening of the driveway to 5.5m at the property boundary in order to accommodate two way vehicle movements  The traffic engineer assessment determined the upgraded site access driveway would provide a significant safety improvement.    The diagram (above) is provided courtesy of PTT Traffic & Transport Engineering showing the proposed access driveway design

Question 7

Car Parking

Accepted Answer

Car parking for Compass Independent School accommodates parking spaces on-site.  There are two informal on-site car parking areas.  One of these will be enhanced resulting in 8 formalised carparks including 1 x PWD car park.  The other informal car park has capacity for 15 – 20 parking spaces.   Growth of the school is expected to be staged: Opening Year (2022): 18 – 20 students, with 3 staff = 14 vehicles Design Year (2026):    32 – 38 students, with 5 staff = 25 vehicles  Car parking for Compass Independent School exceeds requirements for the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) Planning for Safe Transport Infrastructure at Schools (PSTIS) and the Brisbane City Council TAPS Planning Scheme Policy.  View the traffic engineering assessment here.      The proposed site plan (above) is provided courtesy of Allan Young Consulting Services

Question 8

Traffic

Accepted Answer

Growth of the school is expected to be staged:  Opening Year (2022): 18 – 20 students, with 3 staff = 14 vehicles Design Year (2026):    32 – 38 students, with 5 staff = 25 vehicles  School initiatives to minimise traffic include: Different start and finish times to Brookfield State School Providing a window for pick up and drop off Encouraging families to walk or ride if convenient  The traffic engineering assessment concluded that:  “The predicted school traffic generation is unlikely to be significantly greater than vehicle movements associated with the existing uses of the site.”

Question 9

Noise

Accepted Answer

A noise impact assessment was undertaken by Palmer Acoustics (Australia) Pty Ltd.  The report concluded:  Hours of operation are limited to 8:30am – 3:00pm Monday to Friday (term time) The proposed development does not involve any delivery vehicles The proposed development does not involve amplified music No new mechanical plant is proposed The proposed school facility will comply with BCC noise limits for both: the outdoor play area vehicles utilising the car parking space and driveway The proposed development complies with PO1 and PO2 of the community facilities code.  The full noise impact assessment is available here

Question 10

Heritage

Accepted Answer

To protect the aesthetic of the heritage listed church, the carpark is proposed to be constructed out of a permeable pavement instead of standard asphalt.

Question 11

Vegetation

Accepted Answer

An arborist was engaged to review the proposed plans.  The plans have been amended following the advice of the arborist, including to:   Realign the crossover to reduce the level of incursion on the TPZ for Tree 3 (given the age, size and visual contribution of this tree)  Drop one car park to reduce incursions within tree protection zones (TPZ) Relocate the new toilets to be clear of tree protection zones  The arborist report is available here     Tree Protection Plan developed by Independent Arboricultural Services  (see page 12 of the Arborist Report)

Question 12

Public Notification

Accepted Answer

You can formally submit comments to Brisbane City Council to support or oppose the development application on/before the 5th May 2022.  You can lodge a submission through Development.i.

Local Council Approval