The Parramatta Catholic Education Diocese project on Darcy Road proposal for 6000 students capacity on the campus, opposite Westmead Hospital at an estimated cost of $1 billion.

The site is already home to two high schools — Catherine McAuley and Parramatta Marist — and Mother Teresa Primary School with a total of 2767 students.

The proposal includes an early learning centre for 200 children and a 1680-student primary school, which includes expanding existing facilities at Mother Teresa Primary and merging it with Sacred Heart Primary, which will relocate from Ralph St. There will also be a 400-seat parish church. Close down Sacred Heart Primary School. 

The influx of students, workers and residents from the multi-storey Highline Westmead apartments will create massive traffic gridlock, with access for the schools only available at Darcy Rd.

All outdoor recreation space fields and swimming pool would also be wiped out. 

An alternative solution was provided to the Catholic Education Diocese. Merge both primary schools on to the Ralph Street site and allow the Mother Teresa School buildings to cater for the increase of high school students. This will spread the traffic and allow for the much needed open space to remain. 

The redevelopment is deemed a state significant development and the State Government will have the final say on the proposal.

The council has expressed its concerns in a submission it lodged with the Planning Department.

Parramatta Lord Mayor Bob Dwyer said the council supported the diocese’s plans to meet increasing demands for more education facilities.

“However, the concentration of activities on this site – with its limited accessibility – has undesirable consequences that council is unable to support,’’ he said.

“The planned development will negatively impact traffic in the area and reduce the amount of open space and recreational facilities that our community needs.”

Marist and McAuley have a great education and sporting tradition. The proposal is to take away all the open spaces that many former students enjoyed and many memories were made. These open spaces will be substituted by concrete jungles and access roads. The former Brothers that put so much blood, sweat and toil to provide the existing facility will be rolling over in their grave.