PARENTS and teachers of Miranda Public School's support unit for special needs children say any proposal to build high-rise units next door would cause distress and loss of privacy for emotionally vulnerable children.
Sutherland Shire Council is proposing as part of its draft LEP to rezone to allow an eight-storey development in University Road, Miranda, on the boundary of the playground.
Angry parents say the LEP proposal discriminates against the rights, privacy and protection of the special needs pupils.
The council this week deferred the proposal from its new LEP to allow further consultation with the school to get the "best possible outcome" for the pupils who use the playground.
The school's support unit has a private, enclosed, purpose-built playground for its special needs pupils, who can experience acute distress and behavioural difficulties which mean they can't remain in the classroom.
The playground is a remedial environment which helps to dissipate the pupils' distress.
Helen Mabbutt, volunteer tutor and former parent of the support unit said the children's needs were highly complex.
"This is their only safe place when they are in so much distress and the council is proposing to take it away from them."
PARENTS SAY:
Miranda Public School P&C president Heidi Bubb is concerned about the safety issues, particularly strangers being able to observe the children at their most vulnerable.
‘‘We don’t want our children struggling and being observed by dozens of people who have no concern and no interest in their well-being,’’ Mrs Bubb said.
‘‘We have children who have issues with their clothes. What if they take their clothes off in the playground and photos of them get posted by a stranger on Facebook?
‘‘It puts them at risk. That’s why we built this playground. This is their only safe place.
‘‘We have worked so hard to save these children. Now the council is taking it away from us. These children can improve but it is hard work.
‘‘My son, Liam, has autism. He came here and they have done such an astounding job. They found a gift in him when everybody else had ignored him. Next year he will be going to a selective high school.
‘‘One day these councillors will get old and disabled. Is this the way they want to be treated?’’
See more on the LEP and councillor comments for and against here: http://www.theleader.com.au/story/2692094/shire-councillors-give-draft-lep-the-nod/?cs=1507
Should the area next to the playground for special needs pupils be rezoned for high-rise?
