Objections to westside childcare plan flooding in

Yet another inner-west childcare centre plan has stirred u Indooroopilly residents who say it will endanger schoolchildren.

Indooroopilly residents are furious about a new childcare centre proposal they say will endanger schoolchildren using nearby roads. FILE PHOTO

More than 80 formal objections against a controversial childcare centre on Indooroopilly’s busy Russell Tce have flowed in.

By mid-last week, 84 submissions had been lodged with Council including two from local politicians.

Independent candidate for Walter Taylor, Matt Antoniolli, and Greens MP for the area, Michael Berkman, both submitted objections.

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The LNP’s Walter Taylor Councillor, James Mackay, said the proposal would have a significant impact on local traffic, congestion and safety.

“I sent a letter to hundreds and hundreds of residents on August 15, encouraging them to make a submission,’’ he said.

“It’s great to see locals getting involved with the process, with more than 80 submissions made, many highlighting traffic and safety concerns.

“As a former resident of Russell Tce, I share their concerns with regards to the traffic implications of this proposal.

He recently arranged for installation of a “Slow for SAM” sign on the street after feedback from residents about speeding.

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“People who come to the Indooroopilly State School P&C meetings know the real need is for after-school care, not long day care,’’ Cr Mackay said.

He will meet with residents this week in a nearby park.

Resident Bron Raftery said the P&C at Indooroopilly State School, where traffic is already a major safety issue for children, were unaware of the development application as late as a fortnight ago.

Concerned residents alerted parents at the Russell Tce entrance to the school, over four days, to inform them.

Councillor James Mackay. Picture: Liam Kidston

Ms Raftery said the school recently had to put on a second crossing supervisor, inside a controversial new drop and go zone, because of safety concerns.

Another resident, 96, who has lived in the street since the 1940, registered two massive hoop pines on the property with Council as having heritage significance.

But the developer said in an Information Request Response on October 18 that retention of the existing vegetation “is unfeasible due to the site levels and required essential services”.

Council planners previously told the developer, however, that existing vegetation at the rear of the site which was considered significant must be retained.

The developer also did not submit a Bushfire Management Plan even though 28 Russell Tce is in a high bushfire buffer zone in the City Plan 2014 Bushfire Overlay Map Code.

Indooroopilly State School, which is adjacent to the proposed childcare site, has a Bushfire Management Plan.

The developer approached neighbours, Prof Keithia Wilson and Prof Alf Lizzio, to allow the drainage across their land but they refused.

Architect Bill Heather, a Russell Tce resident and Indooroopilly Woods Residents Group member, claimed the site lacked a lawful point of discharge for stormwater and any reliance on a “pumped solution’’ was contrary to Council advice on stormwater management.

Council officers will take 4-6 weeks to assess the DA.

For more information or help in lodging a submission, contact residents on: [e-mail]