Childcare backer appeals Council bid to block project

The developers behind a new childcare centre in Bardon are appealing a council decision earlier this year to refuse the project.

Cr Peter Matic and resident Brenden Brien near the Runic St childcare centre. The backers of a nearby centre on Boundary Rd are appealing a council decision to reject their project. Picture: AAP/Richard Walker

The developers behind a new childcare centre in Bardon are appealing a council decision earlier this year to refuse the project.

Bardon Rainworth Community Group (BRCG) member Kate Watson said residents were disappointed but very pleased council, which opposed the development application on traffic and noise grounds, as well as appropriateness of the site, was fighting the matter in court. BRCG is a party to the matter.

Ms Watson said the 144 Boundary St site, opposite Rainworth State School’s busy main street entrance, was in a character area and had always been used as a residential home.

“The plans include an elevated carpark with too few parks, an awkward turning bay, a steep driveway with poor visibility, and a dangerous traffic crossover into Boundary Rd where families park and children walk to school,’’ she said.

“As a local community, we continue to oppose the development and support Lord Mayor Graham Quirk’s, and Councillor Peter Matic’s, vision to protect Brisbane’s backyards.

“This site is a beautiful bush gully and to lose it to a commercial development would be tragic.

“Safety issues for the children attending the centre and school kids walking to Rainworth School (due to a very steep narrow driveway) along with an increased volume of traffic on Boundary Rd, remain key concerns for our local community.

“An application for another childcare centre 200m down the road has been approved, making this proposal at 144 Boundary Rd redundant.’’

BARDON RESIDENTS PONDER NEXT MOVE

TWO CHILDCARE CENTRES MOOTED WITHIN 200M OF EACH OTHER

The centre, which would cater for 62 children and have 12 car spaces, would retain the existing pre-1946 character house but extend it at the rear, where it would rise to 9.5m above ground.

Atherton Investments’s Anna Atherton, who owns the company with her husband Jeff, said they were experienced “mum and dad’’ childcare operators — not major players in the industry — who were known for developing very high-quality centres.

“There is a huge demand in Bardon,’’ she said.

“We’re only a small centre and we have designed the driveway so people can turn in off Boundary Rd, drop off and go out the same way.

“Childcare drop-offs tend to be earlier than school drop-offs, so we don’t think the 100 families who will use us across the week will affect peak traffic.’’

But Ms Watson said the three-storey building was higher than allowed in the CR1 character residential zone code.

Maiwar Greens MP Michael Berkman. Picture: AAP/Dan Peled

Resident Brenden Brien lodged an appeal last December against the nearby childcare centre in Runic St.

Mr Brien said he and his neighbours had also started a gofundme page to help raise money for their appeal again the 225 Boundary Rd project, which fronts congested Runic St.

The news comes after a public meeting on December 8 to discuss pressure on the nearby roundabout from traffic.

During school pick-up and drop-off times the roundabout, Boundary Rd and Runic st are all clogged with traffic and parking is problematic, with residents frequently complaining to Rainworth State School over the years about cars parked across their driveways and in drop-off and bus zones.

Both Cr Matic and state Greens MP for Maiwar, Michael Berkman, have expressed concerns about both developments.

Residents said they appreciated the support they had received from both politicians.