Two childcare centres given the green light by the ERD court

Weeks of door knocking from SA’s Opposition Leader and community petitions have fallen on deaf ears after plans to block two new southern childcare centres were overturned.

Residents across Adelaide’s south have been left blindsided after learning two childcare centre applications have been given the green light, despite their hard work to have them refused.

Just over a year ago, residents in Hallett Cove and Clovelly Park learned their quaint streets could soon become home to hustling and bustling childcare centres.

The local council initially rejected the plans but Clare Stevenson of Clovelly Park said she was mortified to learn the proposal had since been approved in the Environment, Resources and Development Court.

“We noticed our neighbours moving out, we asked where they were going and they said to make way for the childcare centre,” Ms Stevenson said.

“We were completely shocked, we weren’t notified that it had been overturned or even considered, it was a blindside.”

The disapproval was echoed by Leader of the Opposition David Speirs, who spent days door knocking to hear local residents’ concerns.

“I am extremely disappointed that this development is set to go ahead,” Mr Speirs said.

“It exemplifies commercial creep in our suburbs and is quite simply not appropriate for the area.

“The council’s decision to initially reject this development was the correct one and it beggars belief that the court has overturned a sensible community decision.”

Residents are slamming the proposal which would see a two-storey childcare centre built in an already heavily congested street.

Documents provided by the City of Marion show both applications were reversed on different dates in July after council initially refused the plans due to the nature of the buildings.

Hallett Cove resident Sandra Storey rallied together with her community after learning about the development on her street, saying it would become a traffic accident waiting to happen with the high school directly opposite the proposed site.

“It’s honestly disgusting,” Ms Storey said.

“I often see the morning drop off at the high school and the U-turns parents make along the road, I’m honestly surprised someone hasn’t been seriously injured yet.”

The Hallett Cove application – which plans to host a cohort of 98 children – was lodged by Marc Duncan for Future Urban Pty Ltd in August 2021.

Renown Ave, Clovelly Park as it currently sits at peak hour. Pic: Supplied

Both centres would sit in close proximately with nearby schools, which residents say will leave their streets congested and unsafe.

“Our street becomes a dumping ground when South Road needs work, we have a primary school right behind us and putting a childcare with nearly 100 kids … the street will become a disaster,” Ms Stevenson said.

There is no official date for work to commence on either sites.