Mackay Regional Council considers multiple childcare centre applications

Two more childcare centres will likely come to Mackay as nursery schools expand across the region. Check out what’s proposed here.

Demand for child minding options in Mackay continues to grow, with the local council to consider applications for more childcare centre developments in the region.

The first application, lodged last week by The Bobbermein Family Trust and The Hawkins Family Trust, is for a two-storey building at 6-8 Brandon Street, Sarina.

It would cater for “pre-kindy and junior/senior kindy children” (predominantly within the two to four-year bracket).

If approved, the centre would operate in conjunction with the existing childcare centre known as Grandma’s Place.

Documents submitted to the council state childcare facility is “to be constructed on Lot 3 and Lot 4 plus a 155 sqm portion of Lot 5, a total area of 1,782 sqm”.

“The centre will operate with two activity rooms and outdoor play areas,” the report reads.

“The main building will feature the two activity areas, children’s amenities, kitchenettes, storage areas and staff toilets on the lower level.

“The upper level will consist of a staff room, staff lockers, training/work area and staff toilet.

“The converted shed will include storage areas for toys.

“The shed will retain walls and doors so that the building can be secured after hours.”

The centre would employ five permanent part time centre staff and provide 44 car parking spaces, including enough for staff.

The facility would open 6.00am to 6.00pm, Monday to Friday and be closed on the weekends and public holidays.

The Bobbermein Family Trust and The Hawkins Family Trust has proposed a two-storey building at 6 & 8 Brandon Street, Sarina. Picture: Supplied to Mackay Regional Council

The site would cater for “pre-kindy and junior/senior kindy children”. Picture: Supplied to Mackay Regional Council

Just over 40km away is where another application for a childcare centre has been made, at 710 Cutler Drive, Andergrove.

Ink Developments Pty Ltd lodged its proposal last week with this place catering to 100 children.

The document before council said the 2761 sqm site would comprise six indoor rooms and would operate between 6.30am and 6.30pm.

“The structure has been orientated to create a private outdoor play area behind the building to increase security and safety for the children attending the site,” the application reads.

“The proposed built form outcome is considered to increase the function, efficiency, and amenity of the site whilst maintaining the character of the area.

“The development has positioned the relevant car parking towards the front of the site which considers the existing sewer infrastructure and facilitates safe access from Cutler Drive road corridor.”

The centre would have 29 car spaces with 10 drop-off spots and 19 for staff.

Another application for a childcare centre has been made, at 710 Cutler Drive, Andergrove. Picture: Supplied to Mackay Regional Council

The document states the 2761 sqm site would comprise six indoor rooms and would operate between 6.30am until 6.30pm. Picture: Supplied to Mackay Regional Council

Meanwhile, Kool Beanz proposed to overtake C&K or Goodstart as the dominant childcare name in Mackay.

Planning Approval Group, on behalf of KoolBeanz, lodged an application in early January to build another centre at 448 Bridge Rd and 5 Streeter Ave in West Mackay.

Documents state the 1813 sqm site would accommodate “52 children and 11 equivalent full-time staff” with 430 sqm designated to playground space where “mature trees will be retained”.

If approved, two homes will need to be removed for its construction.

Documents state there will also be 16 car parking spaces designed to accommodate larger cars and light vans with 11 of these spaces for staff members.

Design plans for Kool Beanz’s proposed new childcare centre along Bridge Rd in West Mackay. Picture: Supplied to Mackay Regional Council

Design plans for Kool Beanz’s proposed new childcare centre along Bridge Rd in West Mackay. Picture: Supplied to Mackay Regional Council

Kool Beanz has also applied to build a centre on the other side of the Pioneer River at 40-42 Hill End Rd in Glenella.

That centre would operate from 6am to 6.30pm from Monday to Friday, catering for up to 127 children across the baby, toddler, junior kindy, senior kindy, and pre-school rooms, with up to 25 staff.

There is also a Lego room proposed with 38 onsite carparking spaces, 25 of which are for staff.

“The rear (eastern) half of the lot will remain vacant at this time, with potential for a future development application to be submitted for other essential educational service facilities or similar that will be accessed via Wasley Court,” documents state.