Plan for units over childcare centre rejected

A PROPOSAL for a childcare centre with two storeys of residential apartments above it has been rejected by Brisbane City Council.

Plans for the proposed childcare centre and apartment development for Richmond Rd, Morningside.

A PROPOSAL for a childcare centre with two storeys of residential apartments above it has been rejected by Brisbane City Council.

The proposal was one of two childcare centres proposed for busy Richmond Rd at Morningside lodged early this year.

Located opposite Morningside railway station on three house blocks at 2-8 Richmond Rd,

Boussal Pty Ltd proposed a ground level childcare centre for 110 children, 18 units on two levels above it and a rooftop deck and basement carpark.

Nearby residents and Councillor Kara Cook (Morningside) opposed the development in February on the grounds of traffic and parking issues in the surrounding streets and the size of the development.

Council listed 47 reasons for refusing the proposed development, including excessive site coverage and the proposed building’s height.

Council also identified the site was a poor location for a large childcare centre.

The proposed development site, opposite Morningside train station.

Cr Cook said she had raised residents’ concerns with council officers, including safety issues for children, pedestrians and road users, especially cyclists.

“This is a win for Morningside. The impact of this development would have been huge,” Cr Cook said.

“Residents already struggle to safely cross Richmond Rd and Waminda St and parking in the streets around the station is already saturated. The developer proposed only eight visitor carparks to cater for a 110-place childcare centre.”

The proposed development would have located units above the childcare centre.

The refusal noted that the size of the proposal would have a significant impact on Richmond Rd traffic.

However the council’s decision was not likely to signal an end to development pressures and safety issues around Richmond Rd.

Cr Cook said the council had also refused residents’ requests for better lighting at the nearby pedestrian crossing and had been told no further traffic calming would be done on Richmond Rd and Waminda St because they had been designated arterial roads.

“The council needs to put locals’ safety first and help find a solution to make this area around Morningside station safe again,” Cr Cook said.

“I requested cycling infrastructure on Waminda St in my budget submission to the Lord Mayor this year but it wasn’t funded.

“There are so many outstanding requests for cycling infrastructure in the Morningside ward, I question the Quirk LNP administration’s interest in essential protection for cyclists.

“We hear a lot about big-ticket items but they have lost touch with the basics particularly in the suburbs.”

Deputy Mayor Adrian Schrinner said safety was of upmost importance to the council, however traffic calming was not appropriate on major roads, particularly when used by larger vehicles not able to manoeuvre around traffic islands and speed bumps.

“While the Queensland Police Service is responsible for enforcing driver behaviour, Council has installed two LED road signs to warn drivers to slow down at the sharp bend of Richmond Rd and Waminda St,” Cr Schrinner said.

“Council has also previously installed two flashing speed warning signs on Richmond Rd as part of our ongoing speed awareness campaign, to help get residents home safely and reduce congestion.

In response to requests to improve lighting, Cr Schrinner said there were two lights situated directly above the crossing on Waminda St.

A decision on the other proposed childcare centre on Richmond Rd is expected in the coming weeks.

Boussal Pty Ltd was contacted for comment but did not respond.

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