"highrise buildings will provide opportunity for residents to observe, photograph and film children"

[Ed: Dangerous levels of stupidity achieved in Australia.]

A SECOND Brisbane school is fighting a high-rise development application amid fears of pedophiles who could prey on their children.

Parents at the Holy Cross School, in the inner-northern suburb of Wooloowin, are objecting to a proposed multi-level high-density affordable housing project that would surround their Morris St campus.

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.

Brisbane City Council this week 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 1400 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 highrise 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)."

Another concerned parent, who did not wish to be named, said she felt parents were right to be worried.

"All it takes is one pair of bad eyes to target one child and do something nasty, and that's too many," she said.

"If we don't look out for these things, who will?"

About 14 objections have been lodged with council, many fearful of potential access by "irresponsible adults".

Submissions close next Friday, December 19.

An objection lodged by parents Amanda and Adrian O'Callaghan said: "The dramatic shrinking of the school's grounds represents a great loss to the children's sense of freedom and space and, much more seriously, the multiple levels of apartments immediately overlooking the school prompt genuine fears about access and surveillance."

Parent Natalie Pelusi writes in her submission: "It is not right for the public to have such direct access to hundreds of children. The privacy and safety of the children must be paramount."

Another lamented the increased possibility of "irresponsible adults watching, tracking and or getting to know our children in possibly unsafe situations", while a fourth stated they would not be comfortable sending their children to the school if the project went ahead.

A spokeswoman for the Sisters of Mercy was unavailable for comment.