New childcare centre planned for George St, Bundaberg

An iconic Bundaberg Queenslander, built the same year the Titanic made its maiden voyage, will be demolished to build a childcare centre, if a proposal put before the council gets the green light.

Plans are in the pipeline to build a new childcare centre on George St.

One of Bundaberg’s stately Queenslanders is set to be demolished to make way for a new childcare centre.

That’s if a proposal put before Bundaberg Regional Council is successful.

Information in documents submitted to the council by Brisbane-based company Uniland Investments shows plans to demolish the four-bedroom Queenslander at 210 George St to make way for a modern building that would become a new childcare centre.

Uniland Investments picked the 2014sq m property up for $730,000 in April this year.

The George St home was built in 1912 by the Kirkwoods.

The front of the proposed childcare centre.

Built in the year of the Titanic’s voyage, the home dubbed Consuelo is 110 years old, having originally been built for couple Robert and Elsie Kirkwood, who lived in it for 60 years.

A recent real estate listing referred to the home as a “showcase of living history”.

The plan for a new childcare centre on the corner block would involve the current home’s demolition, according to documents lodged with Bundaberg Regional Council on Wednesday.

The new development, if approved, would incorporate 90 childcare places in a space built with six activity rooms, 18 car parking spaces, one service bay and an 650sq m outdoor play area.

The floor plan for the proposed childcare centre.

“It is proposed to demolish the existing dwelling to accommodate a childcare centre and associated car parking area,” the proposal reads.

The developers are seeking a material change of use (development permit) in what is termed low density residential land.

If approved, the facility would create 14 new jobs for the centre’s staff.

“The proposed childcare centre is co-located with existing educational and social facilities in the surrounding area, and is positioned within an established residential area,” the plans read.

The George St home was built in 1912 by the Kirklands.

A view of what the proposed childcare centre will look like.

“The proposal is seen to present as a compatible land use which will provide necessary services for the surrounding demographic and area...

“The childcare centre is also designed to complement the existing character and be well designed to ensure minimal impacts to residential amenity which aligns with the purpose and overall outcomes of the Low-Density Zone Code.”

A spokesman for Uniland Investments said there had been many incentives recently to encourage movement in the region.

“The Queensland Government is giving funding to boost tourism,” he said.

“Funding to also lure people to regional areas for employment.

“They're also increasing subsidies to make childcare cheaper, so that people could go back to work as the country goes through economic recovery.

“Increasing investment in the region can have more tourism, therefore more overseas spending. The Palaszczuk government wants to showcase Queensland to the world in preparation for the 2032 Olympics.”

The spokesman said the city needed more buildings which were designed specifically for childcare.

The George St home was built in 1912 and is set for demolition, however, the developer says there may be a possibility of looking into its removal.

“The Bundaberg region also lacks purpose built childcare centres,” he said.

“We believe this can increase varieties and choices and benefit the people.”

When asked, the spokesman said there was a possibility of investigations into whether the house could be relocated, rather than demolished.

“Investigations can be undertaken to see if the house could be relocated to a new site and subject to relevant council and transport approvals,” he said.

If approved, it would not be the only new childcare centre coming to town.

Plans are underway to design a “Hamptons style” facility on Walker St.

Another has been planned for a 150-place daycare at Belle Eden Estate.

The George St proposal remains before the council.