Drysdale residents oppose childcare due to Clifton Springs Rd traffic

Drysdale residents are apprehensive about a proposed two-storey childcare centre due to traffic and overshadowing concerns.

Glenn Lorenz with other concerned locals on the site of the proposed two story childcare centre next to Drysdale Primary school on Clifton Springs Rd. Picture: Brad Fleet

A proposal for a two-storey childcare in Drysdale that has raised red flags with residents concerned about traffic congestion, overshadowing and privacy is headed to the state’s planning umpire.

Geelong council issued a notice of decision to grant the planning permit in July, which objectors have now appealed at Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT).

Glenn Lorenz owns a neighbouring property to the proposed site, which he uses as a holiday house and rents on Airbnb, and says its value will decline if the childcare project goes ahead.

The $1.3m childcare centre would feature six rooms for 109 kids at 48-50 Clifton Springs Rd, which is next to Drysdale Primary School, and has bee proposed by Permit Hub Pty Ltd.

Glenn Lorenz along with other locals have expressed concerns about a proposed two-storey childcare centre next to Drysdale Primary school on Clifton Springs Rd. Picture: Brad Fleet

The centre would have a maximum of 10 staff at any given time.

According to the planning application documents, the centre would operate between 6.30am to 6pm.

Mr Lorenz said he was disappointed the application did not provide diagrams of shadowing during winter.

“They are only required to provide shadowing for time in September and time in May but in winter when you need the sun that’s when we’re not going to get it,” he said.

Mr Lorenz said due to traffic he would not attempt to move his boat to and from his house around pick up time for students at the primary school.

“The traffic is horrendous,” he said.

“Ten to 15 cars use the block where they are planning to put the childcare centre to park at that time too.”

Mr Lorenz said application referenced public transport in relation to trains, but the station was for a tourist railway, which he believed showed due diligence was not taken.

“There’s a lack of respect for local residents and it’s really going to change the area on an already busy road,” he said.

“I have no issue with a childcare centre, and if it was a single storey, from an overshadowing and privacy point of view it would not worry me.

”A single storey building and reducing the numbers would go a long way to reducing some of the traffic issues as well.”

Council executive director of placemaking Tennille Bradley said the council received 10 objections about the proposed planning permit for the use and development of a childcare centre with a reduction in carparking.

“We carefully considered the concerns of residents, particularly regarding traffic and overshadowing, before finding that the application complied with the relevant standards,” she said.

“The applicant attempted to address these concerns by reducing the number of children accommodated and relocating the upper floor away from the neighbouring properties.

“However, no objections were withdrawn.”

Ms Bradley said the council issued the notice of decision to grant a planning permit with conditions on July 11, requiring various modifications to the plans.

“This includes having acoustic fencing on the plans to ensure neighbour amenity is protected and an updated colour schedule removing bright colours from the plans,” she said.

“The objectors have appealed the application.”

The VCAT compulsory conference will be heard in February, followed by a hearing in April.

Permit Hub was contacted for comment.

Originally published as Drysdale residents oppose childcare due to Clifton Springs Rd traffic