Ballina Shire: Childcare centre proposal for 44 Bangalow Rd, Ballina

A multimillion-dollar proposal has been put forward in a flood-battered region in a bid to fix what has been referred to as a ‘childcare desert’. Get your first look at the plans here.

Sketch of proposed childcare centre at 44 Bangalow Rd, Ballina.

A $5m childcare centre could soon become a reality in NSW’s North Coast — an area which has been declared a “childcare desert”.

A new two-storey centre could soon be built in the heart of Ballina — at 44 Bangalow Rd.

The proposed site sits west of Kerr St and the Ballina Fair shopping centre, while the Ballina Bayside shopping centre is just south of the proposed location.

The application aims to “assist with the considerable shortfall of enrolment vacancies within the region,” planning documents state.

“(A recent study) by The Mitchell Institute for Education and Health Policy at Victoria University … showed that Ballina was a ‘childcare desert’ with 4.67 children for every one childcare place available, compared to a national average of 2.63 children for every one childcare place available.

What it could look like … artist impression of the proposed childcare centre.

“The data highlights the crucial need for additional child care facilities within the region to accommodate an expanding population.”

This sentiment was echoed by Rachel Brentnall, who is the director of Ballina’s Learning Cottage and has worked in the sector for 23 years.

Aerial view of the proposed childcare centre location at 44 Bangalow Rd, Ballina.

She said the need for more centres on the North Coast is higher than ever — particularly after the floods.

“I’m receiving between five and 12 calls a day for people looking for care on the North Coast,” Mr Brentnall said.

“People are desperate for care and there’s just not enough spaces for the demand.”

She added childcare centres are key to building community — particularly as their ‘sister’ centre in Lismore remains closed due to the 2022 floods.

“We are a vital part of the community … (this) is where (children) build their first relationships, they go to childcare and then go to big school with their friends.

“At the moment people are having to look further afield and drive further afield.

“So childcare centres are part of the start of how we rebuild our community, and they also help people get back to work and provide employment.”

A sketch of the proposed childcare centre in Ballina.

If the plan is approved, it would run from 7am to 7pm, Monday to Friday.

Situated on a 4.4ha site, the centre would have capacity for 85 children and 15 staff members.

It would cater for children aged zero to five.

According the current plans, the outdoor play areas would be located along the eastern side of the centre, with additional internal activity rooms.