Major new childcare centre, swim school proposed for Morayfield

Developers have lodged plans to build a large childcare centre and swim school along a major thoroughfare in Moreton Bay to help meet huge demand for childcare in the region.

A proposal for a 150-place childcare centre and swim school has been lodged for a site fronting one of Moreton’s busiest roads.

Morayfield Projects Pty Ltd lodged a development application (DA) with the City of Moreton Bay to build the childcare centre and swim school on vacant land at 1–5 Oakey Flat Rd in Morayfield.

The centre would cater for children aged up to five years and was designed to help meet massive demand in the area.

The swim school included a 25m swimming pool and related structures.

Both would both be in single-storey buildings.

A concept image of the proposed swim school at 1-5 Oakey Flat Road. Picture: City of Moreton Bay/DA Tracker

The 1115 sqm childcare centre included a reception, two nursery rooms, three spaces for children aged two to three, three spaces for children aged three to five, an office, kitchen, laundry, staffroom and service rooms.

It would be open Monday to Saturday from 6am-6.30pm.

“The vast open play area is orientated northwest to reduce (noise) on the neighbouring residential site to the south,” the DA said.

The swim school would employ 15-20 staff and be opening Monday-Saturday from 5am to 8pm and 10am-2pm on Sundays.

Class times would be at 7.30am, midday, 3pm and 6pm, with four to eight children per class.

Classes would include beginners, rehab, children, water gymnastics, learn to swim, stroke correction, squad, aqua aerobics, hydro therapy and occasional in-house competitions.

The proposed childcare centre and swim school at 1-5 Oakey Flat Rd was close to local shops, schools and public transport. Picture: City of Moreton Bay/DA Tracker

There would be 82 car spaces for both facilities.

“The development ... activates under-utilised land that forms the gateway to the residential estates on Oakey Flat Rd and the large format retail centres on Morayfield Rd,” the DA said.

“The site has a dual frontage to Oakey Flat Rd and Jonkers Ct and is (close) to Morayfield Shopping Centre and Morayfield State High School, which are both key nodes of economic and social activity.

A concept image of the new childcare centre. Picture: City of Moreton Bay/DA Tracker

“The site is bordered by Jonkers Creek and Jonkers Creek Park to the north and west, while residential developments are located to the south and west.

“The site can be easily accessed by private vehicle via Morayfield Rd and the Bruce Hwy.

“The Morayfield train station provides suitable public transport.’’

The DA acknowledged the site was affected by flooding from Jonkers Creek, mainly its northwestern section which fell within high and medium-risk flood hazard zones.

The DA said the roof design reflected nearby houses on Jonkers Ct, there were large windows, weatherboard cladding, feature battens and “timber-look’’ cladding.