Child care centre proposed for Drouin

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A new child care centre looks set to be developed in Drouin.

Council has approved the development with a notice of decision to issue a planning permit for a 118 place child care centre in Grant St.

Council also agreed to reduce the car parking requirement by one space.

The application was supported by council after an original motion by Cr Tricia Jones to refuse the development was lost.

Cr Joe Gauci went on to move the application be approved with a notice of decision.

The application attracted eight objections relating to traffic congestion and parking issues; over-development of the site; overshadowing resulting from the proposed 2.2 metre high boundary fence; inappropriate use for the area; and, noise.

The centre will provide 24 on-site car spaces and will operate from 7am to 6pm on weekdays.

Officers said the proposal was considered to be appropriately located given the proximity to the town centre and the primary school.

“The proposal will provide a service that will meet local community needs especially given the anticipated level growth to occur within Drouin,” the report said.

Officers said they expected the proposal would have minimal impact on the surrounding road network and minimal impact on adjoining residential properties.

Adjoining resident David Kennedy said they acknowledged the need for childcare in Drouin but had some concerns about the layout of the development and design of the car park.

He requested a 2.2 metre acoustic fence be installed along his boundary to assist with privacy and shelter some of the noise.

Luke Dowdle of Nepean Planning Consultants told council the building size was considered modest in the context of the site, with the building only taking up 25 per cent of the site. He said they were happy to install a 2.2 metre fence along the boundary as requested by the residents.

Moving the application be refused, Cr Jones said she did not believe the development was on the right site.

She said she did not believe 24 car spaces would be enough for a 118 place centre and the bays located at the front of the site would be difficult to manoeuvre in and out.

“There’s no turning circle which means there will be delays and congestion.

“We are all aware of parking issues around the primary school and kindergarten. The improvements have been fine but it is not nearly enough to meet the growth of the school and kindergarten,” she said.

Cr Darren Wallace agreed the shire was in desperate need of childcare placements but said council should be looking at a block that could be purpose built for a childcare centre.

“We have to get out of this thinking of bringing cars into town. Put these developments in the periphery areas.

“This is an irregular battleaxe block surrounded by high density residential living,” he said.

Cr Gauci said the shire was “screaming for early learning centre places.”

“This suits all planning and legislation requirements. There may be issues but we can work through that…its meets the criteria.

“We are not neglecting eight car parks, it is one,” he said.

Cr Jessica O’Donnell said there was a huge number of children on waiting lists for childcare.

She said this development also was an opportunity for another 20 jobs.

Cr Danny Goss said the planning scheme allowed a childcare centre in a residential zone.

“It’s not up to us to put the childcare centre somewhere else,” he said.