Plans for childcare centre on Reserve Rd in Grovedale

A childcare centre could be built on a vacant plot in Grovedale and accommodate more than 80 kids if plans submitted to Geelong council are given the green light.

Plans for a childcare centre at 71 Reserve Rd in Grovedale. Picture: Geelong council

A new childcare centre could be built on a vacant plot in Grovedale if plans lodged to Geelong council are given the tick of approval.

The proposal at 71 Reserve Rd would have capacity for 84 children.

The single-storey centre would feature five children's rooms, each with a capacity ranging from 12 to 22 kids as well as a reception, office, kitchen, laundry and staffroom.

There would also be a large outdoor play area, including a covered play space, and raingarden.

The plans state there would be 18 car spaces with nine for staff and nine for visitors.

The development is estimated to cost $1m.

Plans for a childcare centre at 71 Reserve Rd in Grovedale. Picture: Geelong council

According to planning documents, a previous proposal for a double-storey centre at the site to accommodate 100 kids was previously lodged to Geelong council.

The application was knocked back in November last year, primarily due to the impacts to surrounding residential properties such as noise and traffic congestion.

The documents do not state which child care provider would operate the centre or how many staff members it would employ.

An existing tree at the front of the lot would be removed and replaced with two new trees.

The plans are currently on public exhibition with no decision expected to be made before January 5.

The proposal comes after Prime Minister Anthony Albanese pledged $1bn to build childcare centres in suburbs and regional towns across Australia.

Half of the fund will be delivered as grants for existing childcare centres to make room for more children, and the other half will build government-owned centres in underserved suburbs – known as “childcare deserts” – with the facilities to be run by not-for-profit operators.

In November, residents in Drysdale raised concerns about a $1.3m two-storey childcare centre on Clifton Springs Rd due to traffic congestions and privacy.

Geelong council approved the plans in July but objectors plan to appeal the decision the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal.

Originally published as Plans for childcare centre on Reserve Rd in Grovedale