RESIDENTS of Henley Brook are opposing a proposal to significantly increase the capacity of the Australian Islamic College, fearing the 51 per cent student surge will escalate the already perilous traffic congestion plaguing Asturian Drive.

The college, situated at the intersection of Henley Street and Asturian Drive, has submitted a Regulation 17 application to the Development Assessment Panel (DAP) seeking approval to boost its student body from 1000 to 1510 students.

Staff are also proposed to climb from 80 to 105, with the application stating that no further infrastructure is planned to accommodate the substantial increase in students or the resulting influx of vehicles.

Local resident Reto Ammann has spoken out about the community’s intense frustration highlighting the dangerous traffic conditions during peak hours.

“What many people are mainly concerned or upset about is the traffic congestion on Asturian Drive,” he said.

“The amount of traffic, especially during peak hours when kids are getting picked up and dropped off… all that is clogging up Asturian Drive and is resulting in people attempting dangerous manoeuvres.”

Mr Ammann said that the current traffic – already intensified by ongoing construction and new housing developments along the thoroughfare – was creating hazardous conditions.

“Asturian Drive is just getting used as a rat run, a shortcut for drivers… and it’ll probably stay that way until something changes,” he said.

“People are driving through at 70km/h… and a lot of complaints have been made about the dangerous situation and the near misses.”

With the full increase of 510 students expected to be reached by 2028, residents believe the safety situation is quickly becoming untenable.

“If they’re going to increase the capacity by 50 per cent, there will be another 50 per cent of kids for school drop-off and pick-up… the situation is only going to get worse, there’s just an accident waiting to happen.”

In response to questions asked by Echo News, City of Swan chief executive officer Stephen Cain said the city would be communicating with the applicant to address the critical issue of traffic congestion.

“The city has received a request to modify the application for the Australian Islamic College in Henley Brook to increase student numbers from 1000 to 1510 and staff from 80 to 105,” he said.

“The key consideration is the capacity of the existing road network to accommodate additional traffic volumes, and the applicant will need to demonstrate this.”

The college was contacted for comment and executive principal Abdullah Khan confirmed the school’s intention is to manage the growth using the already existing facilities.

“We will accommodate the increased student capacity within the already approved buildings by the council,” he said.

“We do not plan to build any additional buildings beyond the already approved (development application).”