Parents at Holy Cross Primary School on Brisbane's northside are battling a high rise development on land used by the school over fears that pedophiles could prey on their children.
The development application, which includes 323 dwellings, shops, a childcare centre and a 602 space car park, was lodged by the Sisters of Mercy for land used as the school's oval for 50 years, The Courier Mail says.
In a simmilar matter last week, Brisbane City Council limited developments surrounding Wynnum's Guardian Angels Primary School to five storeys instead of the eight originally proposed following concerns that "highrise buildings will provide opportunity for residents to observe, photograph and film children."
Councillor Amanda Cooper said the council would ensure that children's security was a priority when considering any future development.
The Holy Cross Parents and Friends Association has distributed 1,400 flyers to parents and residents urging them to object to the project, which would trade their school oval for buildings up to eight storeys overlooking the school's play and assembly area.
Traffic concerns were also outlined.
Parent Alisa Bradley-Moore, who has two sons at the school, said the loss of the oval and proximity of high rise buildings were her main concerns.
"I don't know who is going into those buildings, it could be pedophiles or people with freaky fantasies looking over our children," she said.
"It's a fantastic school that does a lot in the community and I would hate to think the Sisters (of Mercy) wouldn't listen. I would hate (to pull the children out)."
A spokeswoman for the Sisters of Mercy was unavailable for comment.
SOURCE
Holy Cross School parents oppose development amid pedophile fears (Courier-Mail, 12/12/08)
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Holy Cross School, Wooloowin
Sisters of Mercy