Northern Beaches Archives

Queenwood School for Girls in Mosman has submitted plans to develop a $29 million multi-sport facility at Oxford Falls for use by its students.

Background and Site Details

A proposal has been lodged with the NSW Planning Department by Queenwood School for Girls, a private school located in Mosman, to construct a new multi-sport precinct at Oxford Falls. The site spans 2.14 hectares and was acquired by the school for $10.7 million in July 2024. The location is situated on Oxford Falls Road, directly opposite Oxford Falls Grammar School.

Development Application and Facilities

The school has submitted a State Significant Development (SSD) application. As part of this process, an environmental impact statement will be released for public comment.

According to the scoping report, the proposed precinct includes an outdoor field designed for soccer and hockey, which also accommodates eight tennis courts. An indoor hall is planned to support sports such as basketball and netball. Additional infrastructure includes a canteen, change rooms, and a car park positioned beneath the main hall.

Usage and Educational Purpose

Queenwood intends the precinct to be used during school hours as well as after hours and on weekends, with floodlights allowing activity throughout the winter months. The development is positioned as part of the school’s broader commitment to enhancing educational outcomes through sport.

private school development — *Photo Credit: Queensland School*

School Communication and Community Engagement

In 2024, the school hosted a ceremonial sod-turning and smoking ceremony at the Oxford Falls site to mark its acquisition. Communications to parents and students have emphasised the intended role of the precinct in promoting teamwork, leadership, and long-term academic performance through physical education.

Next Steps

The proposal will undergo further planning assessment and public consultation. No construction timeline has been confirmed. The application remains under consideration by the NSW Planning Department.

Published 12-July-2025

For months, commuters in Sydney’s Lower North Shore have battled packed buses and long wait times. Relief is coming as the government plans to roll out a new fleet of high-capacity buses.

New Buses to Ease Lower North Shore Commuter Chaos

Frustration has mounted across Sydney’s Lower North Shore, where thousands of commuters have endured lengthy delays and overcrowded buses due to ongoing service disruptions. The NSW government has now confirmed that 60 new high-capacity buses will be introduced to restore reliability and improve transport conditions in the affected areas.

Why Lower North Shore Commuters Have Been Struggling

The crisis began in October 2024, when 83 Volvo articulated buses were pulled from service due to safety concerns over chassis cracks. These buses primarily operated in the Lower North Shore and Northern Beaches, leaving commuters scrambling for transport alternatives. Delays lasted over an hour in most locations, with packed services leaving passengers waiting for as long as several buses before they could get a seat.

*Photo Credit: Mosman Collective/Facebook*

The government plan includes 50 new articulated buses and 10 double-deckers, which are meant to cut congestion and increase overall capacity. Transport Minister John Graham conceded that the takeout of the fleet had created big holes in the service, particularly during the peak hours

New Buses on the Way – But Not All at Once

While commuters can expect some relief soon, full restoration will take time. Officials confirmed that six of the withdrawn buses will be reintroduced in April, with additional buses phased in throughout the year. The 60 new buses that will be procured will be rolled out within the next 12 months, focusing on the worst-hit areas.

The Lower North Shore has been one of the worst-hit regions, with suburbs like Mosman, Neutral Bay, and North Sydney suffering from rampant transport bottlenecks. Northern Beaches commuters such as Manly, Dee Why, and Mona Vale have also suffered from extended waiting times, resulting in resident frustration.

The new fleet, under plan by state lawmakers, will be used to enhance passenger capacity and restore frequency to the most affected bus routes.

Community Relief is on the Horizon

The response from local leaders has been generally positive, though some have cautioned that relief won’t be immediate. North Shore MP Felicity Wilson acknowledged that residents had been dealing with an unreliable transport network for months but said the staged rollout of new buses would gradually restore normalcy.

Officials have assured residents that once the new fleet is fully operational, peak-hour congestion will ease, and service levels will return to pre-disruption standards. While commuters remain frustrated, the commitment to improving transport in the Lower North Shore is now set in motion.

Published 13-March-2025

Tag: Northern Beaches

Queenwood Proposes $29m Sports Precinct for Mosman Students