Submissions now open for new Joyner childcare centre, wildlife group says koalas will die if approved

A controversial new childcare centre is under fire as a koala group has said this will lead to deaths in the region. This comes days after a koala was killed only 100m from the proposed development site. See the plans.

A koala rescue group has slammed a proposal for a new childcare centre in Joyner, and has said this will lead to more deaths. This comes less than a week after a two-year-old koala was killed on Regent Street, only 100m from the proposed development.

Karin Machell from Koalas of Pine Rivers attended the rescue and watched the koala die in front of her, describing the situation as ”devastating”.

Image from the Koalas of Pine Rivers rescue on Monday. Picture: Supplied

Karin has said the koala died within around 15 minutes of being hit.

“She had not long ago been sighted on her mum’s back, so was clearly just branching out on her own,” Ms Machell said.

At least five koalas have been hit by cars since 2020 in the roads surrounding the proposed development.

The proposal is for a childcare centre, set to accommodate up to 90 children.

As part of the proposal there are also plans for a swim school at the front of the development.

An artist rendition of the proposed childcare site. Picture: KDL Property Group

If approved, Karin believes more koalas will die.

“Developments not taking into account the environmental impact that they will have on the koala population, mean that the future is worse than bleak for the species in this area,” she said.

“More people mean more cars and dogs, which means more car hits and dog attacks, which in turn means more stress, so more disease.

“While the area continues to be fragmented and fractured, we will see more koalas dying.”

Councillor Cath Tonks has said on a public Facebook post that she believes residents should be aware that public submissions are now open.

Karin recommends residents submit responses to the development application.

“We encourage people to submit against any impact assessable DA’s proposed for this area, unless they are done in environmental balance,” she said.

A Council spokesperson said anyone can formally submit comments to Moreton Bay Council in support or to oppose a development application.

A submission can be lodged any time after the notification period commences and before midnight on the last day of the notification period.

Lodge your written submission by:

By email: [e-mail]

By post: The Chief Executive Officer, PO Box 159 Caboolture Qld 4510

In person: at one of our Customer Service Centres

Council’s Development Services team can be contacted to assist you to understand the details of a development application on: [phone].

Submissions are open until December 1.