How many childcare centres is too many?

A SECOND childcare centre has been proposed only a stone’s throw from a controversial facility planned for a congested Bardon character home street.

Cr Peter Matic (left) and resident Brenden Brien, with other Runic St residents opposed to a childcare centre proposed for their street. Picture: AAP/Richard Walker

A SECOND childcare centre has been proposed only a stone’s throw from a controversial facility planned for a congested Bardon character home street.

A three-level, 9.5m-high centre has been proposed by Atherton Childcare Investments at 144-146 Boundary Rd, opposite the main entrance to Rainworth State School.

Boundary Rd is heavily congested during morning and afternoon school pickup and parents regularly have to be warned by the school not to park over residents’ driveways, and also over driveways in Runic St.

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 who were known for developing very high-quality centres.

Their previous centres were highly regarded for quality staff, employing more staff than was required under law, and for creating the best atmosphere for learning and wellbeing of the children.

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

‘I think once people find out about us there will be great interest among families in this area.

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

Ms Atherton said she and her husband were dismayed when they found out a second childcare centre had been planned a stone’s throw away, fronting heavily congested Runic st, a no-through road lined with character homes.

More than 50 people have signed a petition against the Runic St plans.

Runic St resident Brenden Brien said the developer’s traffic report seemed unreliable as it was based on surveys, carried out in 2009, at four childcare centres nowhere nearby.

He said neighbours were concerned about smell from nappies in the rubbish bins, noise but above all parking and traffic.

Rainworth State School already regularly has to warn parents in its weekly newsletter about not parking over residents’ driveways on Runic St and other nearby streets.

Mr Brien said it was already difficult to get on to the Rouen Rd roundabout and such a large childcare centre would exacerbate the problem.

The centre was also at the roundabout end of the street, where customers of The Bardon Shed were decelerating quickly so they could enter the carpark, diagonally opposite the proposed childcare entrance.

He was also concerned about the safety of children who walked along the footpath or crossed the street before and after school.

Cr Peter Matic (Paddington) said he had met with residents after they expressed their fears about the Runic St proposal.

“I have raised concerns about traffic and parking impacts with the council’s assessment team.

“Runic St is a narrow street and Boundary Rd is a very busy corridor.’’

The developer did not respond to a request for comment, but said in its development application that it had addressed traffic concerns, as well as noise and odour issues, and its design was in sympathy with surrounding character homes.