FAQs

The NSW Department of Education (Dept Ed) has completed development works as part of the Chatswood Education Precinct to improve Chatswood High School and Primary School.
A condition of the approved Development Application (DA) required the installation of roundabout(s) or other road upgrades to improve safety. The NSW Department of Education has provided Willoughby City Council funding of $1.4M to design and construct road safety infrastructure for Centennial Avenue to comply with this DA condition.

 Council prepared a concept design with two options:

• Option 1 with two roundabouts at the intersections of Centennial Ave/Jenkins Street and Centennial Avenue/Edgar Street.
• Option 2 with one roundabout only at the intersection of Centennial Ave and Jenkins Street.

Council’s road safety audit assessed Option 1 to be the safest plan for both pedestrians and vehicle drivers.  This option specifically addresses a significant safety consideration by providing a safe way for vehicles to legally complete a U-turn via the roundabouts after student drop-off and pick-up on Centennial Ave.

The plan prioritises easing traffic flow and increasing safety for all road users in a very busy area for school drop-off and pick up. A section of the separated cycle lane is planned to remain uphill opposite the High School, while the rest is proposed for conversion to an on-road cycleway. A car door buffer zone for cyclist safety will be included opposite Chatswood High School.

The plan removes 14 parking spaces to accommodate the roundabout approaches in line with Australian Standards. This design specifically addresses a significant safety issue by providing a safe way for vehicles to legally complete a U-turn via the roundabouts, after student drop-off and pick-up on Centennial Ave.