More time for Bensville school application

The council has voted to grant more time for negotiations over proposed extensions to the school at Bundaleer Cr, Bensville.

The decision was made against the wishes of local residents, who had requested the council refuse the application.

The decision was the result of a casting vote by acting mayor, Cr Craig Doyle, in the absence of mayor Cr Robert Bell who was ill.

Cr Chris Holstein moved that the extension be granted and Crs Daniel Cook, Tony Sansom, and Craig Doyle supported him.

Crs Malcolm Brooks, Lynne Bockholt, Judith Penton and Geoff Preece wanted to refuse the development application.

Cr Debra Wales was absent having earlier been granted leave without pay.

Residents requested that council refuse the application, saying that any extension needs to be small and there is no room for a church.

The applicants argued that they had invested a large amount of time in the project's development and progress had been made in negotiations with the residents.

They said that refusal would send them back to square one.

The pointed out that they had cut their original estimate of the school catering for 350 down to around 180 students, only 40 more than are currently enrolled.

They also said that they had reduced the proposed church floor space to half that originally proposed.

Cr Brooks said that the applicant could not amend the original plan as much as had been proposed.

"It would have to be a new plan and that would require a new application.

"We would be granting an extension for something that is not there any more," Cr Brooks said.

Cr Sansom said: "Council has in the past agreed to defer the application for the school and the residents to get together.

"The outcome has been positive, the plans have been revised and the process is underway.

Cr Bockholt said: "Accepting a furthur extension of time is saying that on the site there will be an extension to the school and a church.

"I do not think there should be.

"I was daunted by the size of the proposal on the plans.

"This land is not suitable."

Jonathan Reichard, February 5