Lone Pine Drive and Car Park update

There is an important development taking place on our campus that, while causing some short-term disruption for parents and visitors, is aimed at addressing the increasing traffic congestion during morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up.

Student enrolments at Macarthur have steadily grown over the past five years. This growth has increased traffic pressure, particularly during the 40-minute window surrounding afternoon pick-up.

To help ease this congestion, the School has actively pursued improvements to public transport services. Despite our efforts, including ongoing engagement with transport authorities, expansion of services has been slow and limited, especially in light of the growing residential developments surrounding the School.

In response, Macarthur has made a substantial investment in expanding our bus fleet to seven 57-seater buses. We now transport around 350 students daily, which has helped somewhat. Additionally, the School has been working closely with developers and the Camden Council to increase access points to the campus from other surrounding roads. While this process has been slow, we plan to announce positive news later this year.

Despite these efforts, traffic congestion continues to present challenges. As a result, the School engaged a traffic engineer to review our access and internal roads and recommend improvements. This includes detailed traffic flow modelling, roadway redesign, and restructured parking layouts, all aimed at improving overall traffic movement on campus.

Following the extensive review conducted by the traffic engineer, resulting in a detailed design for better management of vehicles, we are pleased to share that the School Council has approved the proposed improvements to the campus traffic flow. This is a significant project, with an overall cost close to $1.5 million, a major investment in our campus infrastructure and the long-term efficiency of our student drop-off and pick-up experience.

The scope of the work is comprehensive. Key features include:

• Widening of Lone Pine Drive (the circuit) to improve the dedicated bus bays on the western edge of the road and new car drop-off zones directly in front of the Chapel.
  
  
• In addition to the bus bays and drop-off zones, a further two-lane traffic design (3 lanes altogether) around Lone Pine Drive, one lane for cars entering the parking areas, and a separate lane for through traffic exiting the campus.
  
  
• A complete redesign of the Junior School kiss-and-drop area aimed to make drop-off more efficient for our youngest students.
  
  
• Improved pedestrian access through the newly formed car parking areas.
  
  
• A major car park extension and redesigned traffic flow, including a new one-way system and a specially designed outer slip road for smoother exits back onto Lone Pine Drive. The car parking provided will be in excess of 200 spaces, with an overflow area closest to Cobbitty Road.
  
  

As you can imagine, a project of this size and complexity will bring some disruption during the construction period. However, we are working closely with contractors to carefully stage the works and minimise the impact on families wherever possible. The more significant elements of construction will take place during student vacation periods to reduce inconvenience.

However, without a doubt, there will be disruptions over the next five months that will require the parents' forbearance in the event of interim inconveniences and delays; hence, the establishment works have already commenced. Thank you in advance for your patience as we work towards this improvement.

We are committed to keeping you informed as the work progresses and genuinely appreciate your understanding and patience as we undertake this essential upgrade. A summary of the planned construction schedule is included below. 

During periods over the next five months, there will be regular changes to traffic flow and line markings, which will not be completed until the commencement of school in 2026. Please obey temporary signage and instructions.

Stage 1 - Outer slip road construction
Work to commence 1 August 2025

• This stage will require the closure of the grassed overflow parking to the south of the gravel parking area.
• Year 11 and Year 12 student parking will be relocated for the entirety of this project, leaving the remaining parking area available for parents alone.

Stage 2 - Junior School Kiss and Drop and Car Park
Work to commence 29 September 2025 during the School Holiday Period

• This stage will require the closure of the Junior School Kiss and Drop area and the Junior School Car park
• Existing access to the Exploring Tree Car Park will also be closed during this time, with temporary access to be made available from the new Stage 1 Slip Road.

Stage 3 - New formal car park area
Work to commence 8 October 2025

• This stage will require the closure of the gravel car park, which will be turned into a formal car park.
• The new outer slip road will be in operation by this time.
• The grass overflow area will be available for parents to park.
• Year 11 and Year 12 student parking will remain relocated until January 2026

Stage 4 - Western Lone Pine Drive widening
Work to commence 8 December 2025 during the school holidays

• Road access will remain, albeit restricted and managed.
• Car parks will be periodically closed to allow final line marking and other works to be completed.

This work depends on prevailing weather, so delays may be experienced. If this is the case, the contractors and the School will re-work the schedule to minimise the inconvenience.