Childcare centre planned for 79-81 Briens Rd Northmead

A childcare centre for 64 youngsters is being proposed for a main road in Sydney’s west but planners insist it won’t create a traffic bottleneck.

A Busy Bees childcare centre is proposed for 79-81 Briens Rd, Northmead.

A childcare centre for 64 youngsters is being proposed for a main road at Northmead, just up the street from the Coca-Cola factory.

A development application lodged with Parramatta Council proposes to demolish the three-bedroom house and 21 trees to build the Busy Bees facility at the Briens and Redbank roads intersection so the facility would operate in an area with low to medium density housing.

The centre would operate from 6.30am to 6.30pm and include 16 spaces in a basement carpark with access from Redbank Rd.

There would be 20 children aged two and under, 20 aged between three and four and 24 aged four and five who will play in 450sq m of “unencumbered” outdoor play space over the 1285sq m site.

That includes a hut with a slide, zigzag jetty, mound climbing equipment, animal hutch for chickens, water play areas and sensory paths.

The childcare centre is proposed in the red spot.

That might seem like a formula for a lot of noise but a report stated noise from traffic, children playing outside, the mechanical plant and traffic would comply with the “relevant noise goals”.

“The required acoustic fencing is to be provided as part of the proposal,’’ the report stated.

Traffic concerns were also highlighted in the statement of environmental effects, with concerns the proposed intersection location would pose serious problems.

One criticism pointed to concerns that cars that turned right into the childcare centre would have the potential to cause traffic queues and “impact the efficiency” of the traffic signals at the intersection.

In a response to the concern, the traffic assessment stated that, after a survey was recorded in the morning and afternoon peaks, roads would operate with “ample spare capacity” under existing traffic demand.

Overall, planners who prepared the statement of environmental effects recommended the development be approved after stating the proposal’s size was appropriate for the site, and there were no significant negative impacts on sunlight, views and privacy on surrounding properties.

Almost 3100 families make up Northmead’s population of 11,261.

‘Speedway’ street to get fourth childcare centre despite resistance

A $2.3m childcare centre for 100 children will be the fourth facility in a South Wentworthville street after the Cumberland Local Planning Panel gave it the green light.

After its June 12 meeting, the panel unanimously approved the two-storey centre which will replace a red-brick house at 25 Hampden Rd and have a 23-space basement carpark.

The facility will house 17 staff to look after 12 children under two, 44 aged two and three, and 44 aged three to five.

Reasons listed for the approval included the proposal fitting in with the R3 medium density residential zone and not posing any “unreasonable impacts” on neighbouring properties.

Most of the panel acknowledged there was a “minor shortfall” of two carpark spaces.

The existing house will go to make way for a childcare centre for 100 children.

It was approved on the condition staff should not arrive on the site before 7am.

Members stated they took into account the community’s concerns in the written submissions and agreed they had been adequately addressed in the design of the development.

One of the panel members wanted the number of children at the centre to be reduced to 92 to comply with Cumberland Council’s carpark requirements.

The 8m tall centre will operate Monday to Friday from 7am to 6pm and include an acoustic barrier between 2m and 2.4m.

The original plan was for the centre to have 72 children but it has bumped up to 100 despite three childcare centres already open in the street.

Hampden Rd resident of 15 years Marco Divitale has filed a formal objection to the proposal.

“I don’t understand why they need four on one street,’’ he said before the panel made its decision.

He added there were “always burnouts” at night on the street and, if the childcare centre was given the green light, the council would probably finally deliver a speed hump for the street.

One objector feared it could be a fatal decision.

“I really don’t understand why we need another one in the street as we already have three … If it goes ahead children will be maimed or killed because Hampden Rd is used as a speedway for idiots some before considering the application, check all factors out.’’

Another objector wrote: “The addition of yet another childcare centre (this will be the FOURTH on this street and surely is NOT necessary) would significantly disrupt the harmony we have come to cherish. Moreover, the excessive concentration of childcare facilities in close proximity raises serious concerns about traffic congestion and safety issues.’’

An artist’s impression of the double-storey facility.

Another is concerned about plunging property values.

“This is a community of residents, not business. I am very annoyed and I want to take this further as I object to this dwelling going up so close to my home.’’

However, resident Rose Chamma, whose children are now in primary school, was not so fazed and highlighted the demand for such facilities.

She said the Start Strong Early Learning was already booked out when she tried to enrol one of her children in a facility but found a spot at Bright Stars on the other side of the street.

The developer is expected to enter into a voluntary planning agreement with the council for the dedication of 101.5sq m of land at Hereford Place, which could be extended to provide cars access to the childcare centre.