Anger over second childcare centre for Rochedale South street
A three-month campaign to stop a childcare centre being built in a quiet residential street was taken to a new level this week when plans for a second centre, less than 100m away, were unveiled.
Logan
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A three-month campaign to stop a childcare centre being built in a residential street was taken to a new level this week when plans for a second centre, two doors down, were revealed.
Developers Property Projects Australia, who are based at New Farm, want to build a two-storey 783 sqm childcare centre, complete with 26 car spaces and outdoor play areas on both levels.
If built, the 98-place centre at 28 Lamorna St, Rochedale South, will be one of six childcare centres within a 1km radius.
Angry residents found out about the plans yesterday, less than four months after they started a campaign to thwart plans for a two-storey centre for 100 children less than 100m away at 36 Lamorna St.
As both proposed childcare centres back on to the Rochedale South State School, neither have to undergo impact assessments and only have to meet requirements under the Queensland Development Code for education centres.
Logan councillor for the area Lisa Bradley said the second centre was “salt on a wound” for a community which has petitioned against the previous application by developer GG Propco.
“It is important to note that council has no ability to stop or prevent development applications from being lodged by multiple parties for competing proposals, as this is allowed under the state planning legislation,” Cr Bradley said.
“I have sought advice from officers on this application and have been advised, although their assessment has just commenced, based on their initial review, they have critical concerns with the scale of the proposal and don’t believe they’ll be able to support the application.
“Officers have also confirmed that residents are welcome to ring them.”
Exasperated residents, who had signed a petition tabled with Logan City Council, took to social media to complain.
“Here we go again! How many childcare centres does one street need?”
“Leave our street alone, for crying out loud!!!” wrote Shayleen Domjahn.
Resident Trenton Porter wanted to know if there was anything the council could do to stop every house that adjoined the school being transformed into a childcare centre.
“Are we just at the hands of rich developers, to do what they want? Why would any community want two additional child care centres?”
Cr Bradley told residents council has suspended assessments of the first application for 20 days after a “stop the clock” order was lodged on October 27, while developer GG Propco adjusted its plans.
Officers are still liaising with the developer but said there were “unresolved issues” about the scale of the proposal and the stormwater system.
No decision can be made on the project until after November 25, unless the applicant withdraws the notice.