Emali scraps plans to turn former dog boarding kennel into childcare centre

Early education provider Emali has scrapped plans to turn a former dog kennel and cattery on the South Eastern Freeway into a drive-through-style childcare centre.

Early education provider Emali has scrapped plans to turn a former dog kennel and cattery on the South Eastern Freeway into a drive-through-style childcare centre.

Less than two years after purchasing the property at 92 Mount Barker Rd, Mount Osmond, Emali has severed its ties with the 1.17ha estate.

The property this month sold to a private buyer upwards of $1m, around $200,000 more than Emali’s original purchase price.

Company director Ali Serhan said he decided to sell after finding too many snakes appropriate for a childcare centre on the property.

92 Mount Barker Road, Mount Osmond along the South Eastern Freeway.

The property is located just a short two minute drive from the Toll Gate.

“Scrapping the idea was certainly not what we wanted to do. We spent a good 18 months getting everything approved and it would have been state-of-the-art...and there were a lot of hurdles to go through,” Mr Serhan said.

“But unfortunately I found snakes at the door three times...and I was not prepared to take that risk.

“As much as I was excited to do the plans...I was too concerned. The idea of just one child getting bitten is enough for me to cancel it as our number one value at Emali is safety.”

Mr Serhan first unveiled his plans for the childcare centre in September 2020.

He told The Advertiser at the time that he hoped to turn the landmark property into a “flagship” for his childcare enterprise, with his vision for the property based around nature play for around 95 children.

The childcare centre was due to open in 2022.

The new buyer plans to retain the home as a hobby farm.

92 Mount Barker Rd, Mount Osmond. Source: Refined Real Estate

Children would have been able to enjoy tree-climbing and flying-fox experiences, nature trails and a wildlife sanctuary, similar to what is currently on offer at Emali’s Littlehampton centre

Selling agent Alexi Broikos of Refined Real Estate said the property, which is located just two minutes form the Toll Gate, attracted interest from a diverse range of buyers.

“We sold it within two weeks of launching and we had multiple interested parties looking for something unique and different and this one ticked those boxes,” he said.

“We had it on the market for north of $1m and it was contracted by someone who I think may have grown up on a farm and wanted that hobby-style arrangement.

“He had looked at it last time it was on the market but wasn’t quick enough to secure it but this time he made an effort to put a good offer on the table.”