Fix this lot: Council’s long list of concerns with childcare centre

Brisbane City Council has asked a developer to go back to the drawing board on a major westside childcare centre some locals say will be a blot on their gracious suburb.

Artist's impression of the proposed 293 Honour Ave, Graceville childcare, office and retail project.

The developer of a controversial childcare centre proposed on the site of real estate icon Nanette Lilley’s former headquarters at Graceville has been asked to address a long list of concerns.

Graceville Skies Pty Ltd has twice asked the State Government to “stop the clock’’ while it considers its next move.

The developer, who declined to be named, has previously told Westside News that, as a local who lived nearby, he wanted a project in keeping with the suburb’s Queenslander character.

He said his plans would not exacerbate parking or traffic problems and would fit in well with adjoining character houses on Honour Ave and Mortlake St.

But some residents begged to differ, with 10 of them submitting scathing submissions to Council.

“It is ironic that the previous holder of this property (Nanette Lilley) was a real estate business that traded, and profited greatly from, the heritage nature of the suburb, the nature of which is now being eroded by the proposed development on its very site,’’ one objector wrote.

“The proposed development is not at all heritage in nature, with a ‘retro’ facade that is a patchwork combination of weatherboard and brickwork reminiscent of Queenslanders, whose

lower floors were bricked in during the 1970s.

“The use of metal screens is better suited to buildings in the CBD rather than a heritage street.

“The building encroaches directly onto the Honour Ave and Verney Rd boundaries, crowding

the available space.

“This is totally unsympathetic with almost every single existing house up and down Mortlake Rd and Verney Rd, which are all set back by many metres, typically behind picket fences.

“The additional traffic to and from the site will generate further congestion that a future council will seek to ameliorate by installation of traffic signals at the corner of Honour Ave and Verney Road, a further unwelcome development.’’

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Council officers have written to Graceville Skies’ town planner asking it address multiple issues including the adequacy of flood measures, the bulk of the upper level and setbacks from the adjacent houses.

It asked the Honour Ave frontage be changed to “activate’’ with the street or alternatively, that landscaping be increased.

Artist's impression of the proposed 293 Honour Ave, Graceville childcare, office and retail project.

The carpark needed further screening, shopfront glazing was inconsistent with nearby character facades and the traffic report needed to be amended to show how the project would not “compromise the high level of comfort safety quiet enjoyed by residents’’.

Council also said the proposed childcare opening hours of 6.30am were inconsistent with the 7am opening allowed under the neighbourhood code, and asked the developer to demonstrate that its scale was “consistent with expectations of childcare centres in a residential setting’’.

Tennyson Councillor Nicole Johnston said she was heartened that Council officers had identified such a long list of concerns and hoped that meant they would demand changes be made.

She said that, if approved, the project would encourage commercial development to encroach into residential areas.

“I’m calling on the developer to respond to Council’s list of concerns and modify its proposal,’’ she said.

Artist's impression of the project.

Another objector wrote that Graceville residents valued the village atmosphere and heritage nature of their suburb.

“Council needs to stand firm on its commitment to heritage suburbs – because once gone, they

cannot be reclaimed,’’ they said.

“Although the proposed development is low-rise, its design is not in keeping with the nature of the suburb.

“The building will overwhelm the streetscape and impact on the amenity of the surrounding streets.

“It requires rezoning of existing residential properties that will further encroach on the amenity of the area.’’

Another resident claimed there was no local need for a childcare centre as two new centres were being built within a 1km radius and the number of children aged under five in surrounding streets was among the lowest in Graceville.