Childcare centre DA lodged for Wattle Tree Rd in Holgate
A $3.2m childcare centre has been proposed for Holgate, with the applicant saying it was needed to meet “high demand” in the area. See the plans.
Central Coast
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A high demand for local childcare services has seen plans lodged in Holgate.
Central Coast Council is exhibiting a $3.2m development application (DA) for a 103 place childcare centre at 242 Wattle Tree Rd.
Malachite Holdings Pty Ltd is proposing to build the single storey centre to include administration and facilities/amenities, outdoor play areas, carparking for 42 spaces and security fencing. A maximum of 23 staff will be on site.
The 8703sq m site, which currently has a house and other structures, is 300m from Holgate Public School.
The applicant states that there is a strong need for more childcare services in the area, with nearby centre Sprout in Terrigal having a waitlist of more than 700.
“The proposed development will make a positive social contribution to expanding the region’s childcare services to meet increasing demand from local residents,” the DA report states.
“Importantly, it will provide a more suitable arrangement for those families which currently face the disturbance of having to send siblings to different locations/services.
“The proposed childcare centre, together with the existing Holgate Public School; ‘Beyond the Garden Gates’ Nursery and cafe; and neighbouring health facility, will form a local ‘activity cluster; which will be compatible with the established scenic character of the locality.”
The development application was accompanied with a letter of support from Sprout Early Learning Centre director Simone Brand saying Wattle Tree Rd would be the ideal location for a childcare centre close to local services.
“Currently at Sprout Early Learning Centre Terrigal we have 726 children on our waiting list,” she said.
“Our centre is in high demand but also surrounding centres have waitlists, which displays the demand for care for families to return to work.”
The applicant states the building has been designed as a “semirural structure” in line with surrounding properties with a maximum height of 5.9m and would have minimal impacts on neighbours with noise mitigation strategies and no overshadowing.
A traffic report has indicated the development would not adversely impact traffic numbers of safety on Wattle Tree Rd.
The Holgate DA comes after the approval of a 103 place childcare centre, worth $1.5m, at 396 and 404 The Entrance Rd Erina Heights.
The Holgate DA is on exhibition until October 1.
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