New child care centre proposed at Belle Eden Estate in Bundaberg

Planning documents reveal a new child care centre, which would accommodate 150 kids and create more than 20 jobs is proposed for Bundaberg. See the photos and where it will be built if approved.

A Bundaberg housing estate could soon be home to a new child care facility if a development application gets the green light from council.

A material change of use application was recently lodged for a new early childhood education and child care centre to be built at Belle Eden Estate.

According to the application, the facility would be built at the entry of the estate on the corner of Sienna Boulevard and the Bundaberg Ring Road.

The proposed childcare centre would include up to eight different rooms for different age groups and also have outdoor play areas.

This would put it close to other schools in the area including St Luke’s Anglican School, Woongarra State School, Kepnock State School and Bundaberg Christian College.

The centre would be able to care for 150 children and employ 26 staff.

Concept designs of the centre show the facility would include eight rooms catering for different age groups and also after hours care.

It would also have meeting rooms, reception and lobby and a kitchen.

One of the playgrounds is described as being an adventure/climbing play area.

Outside there would have play areas, including an undercover section and another for adventure and climbing.

Designs also show the centre would have light play areas and painting walls along with a ‘softfall’ veranda.

The estate is positioned near Aldi at Kepnock and the new Kepnock Shopping Centre which is under construction.

The centre would be located in proximity to a number of shops and local schools.

“The proposal meets a need for child care services in the service area, and for this reason the development has a direct public benefit,” the document says.

“The proposed development directly supports the local community by providing an essential service.

“The downstream effect of the proposal is that it supports growth in local employment and service provision by allowing carers to return to work and seek employment opportunities.”