North west Sydney: Full list of new childcare centre development proposals for the Hills Shire

The booming population of Sydney’s northwest is creating a growing demand for more childcare centres. See the full list of what childcare centres are planned.

The population of Sydney’s northwest is population is booming.

Current trends indicate there will be 107,000 new Hills residents in the next 14 years. This is staggering population growth — from today’s 183,000 residents to an estimated 290,000 by 2036.

Multiple childcare centres are being planned across the Hills Shire to help meet the demand caused by this region’s rapid urbanisation.

These centres include one which has a bold vision to transform a heritage-listed hunting lodge, as well as a $5.2 million centre designed around a Ginkgo Bilboa tree.

See the full list of the newest childcare centre proposals.

James St, Baulkham Hills

What it could look like … artist impression by Ryan Planning and Development.

Development plans, valued at about $5 million, have been lodged for the construction of a two-storey centre designed around a Ginkgo Bilboa tree at 2-4 James St, Baulkham Hills.

According to the developer’s plans, the facility is designed to be “centred around the integration of external and internal play spaces”.

There are plans for several herb and vegetable gardens, outdoor arts and crafts tables, a sandpit and other “textured” items, such as logs and different floor surfaces.

If approved, the 2785sq m site would be home to 120 children, between zero and five years of age. It would be run by 20 staff members.

The proposed hours of operation are Monday to Friday, from 7am to 6pm.

Old Pitt Town Rd, Box Hill

An artist impression of the development. childcare centre proposed for 204 Old Pitt Town Road, Box Hill

Box Hill could soon have a new child care centre to support its booming population growth.

Development plans, valued at $3.3 million, have been lodged for the construction of a 128-place child care facility at 204 Old Pitt Town Rd, Box Hill.

“The proposed centre-based child care facility is purpose built to integrate into the rural character of (Box Hill),” planning documents state.

According to the developer, there would be 899.55 sqm of outdoor play areas, divided between different age groups.

The centre would cater to children and babies, aged between zero and six years. The proposed hours of operation are Monday to Friday, from 7am to 7pm.

Highbury Rd, North Kellyville

Artist impression by ArkExpress.

Development plans, valued at $3.5 million, have been lodged for 106-place childcare centre at 39-45 Highbury Rd, North Kellyville.

The proposed site is located in a new residential area, predominantly characterised by single and double-storey family homes.

According to the developer’s plans, the three-storey facility would feature basement carparking and eight playrooms.

The majority of spaces would be for kids aged two to five years. But there will also be 16 spaces for infants aged zero to two years.

The centre will have 16 staff members and the proposed hours of operation are 7am to 6pm, Monday to Friday.

Elizabeth Macarthur Dr, Norwest

Artist impression of The Bond.

As the Hills Shire’s population grows, numerous mixed-use development proposals contain childcare centres.

The most recent of these proposals is ‘The Bond’ — the first of three planned healthcare and commercial buildings located on the corner of Elizabeth Macarthur Dr and Norbrik Dr, Norwest.

When complete, one of The Bond’s six storeys will include a childcare centre.

The centre will feature cross-laminated timber as well as tradition timber inside.

Mulpha’s head of development Tim Spencer said there were two key reasons why the building featured timber.

“One is the sustainability side of timber and looking at reducing our carbon footprint, but equally important is the sense of wellness that people get from being (inside) a timber building,” he said.

Timbercrest St, Box Hill

Artist impression of the entrance to the childcare centre.

A heritage-listed hunting lodge, once part of a sprawling early 19th-century estate, could soon be the central hub of a childcare centre in Sydney’s outer suburbs.

The heritage building, known as “The Hunting Lodge” is located on Timbercrest St, Box Hill — one of the Hill Shire’s fastest growing suburbs.

Chris Betteridge, director of Betteridge Heritage, said in planning documents lodged as part of the development application The Hunting Lodge was once part of Copenhagen Farm, a sprawling estate granted to former NSW Governor William Bligh in 1806.

An “adaptive re-use” of The Hunting Lodge has been proposed by developer Vishal Gumber as part of a bid to transform the heritage building into the central hub of a child care centre.

Under current plans, there would be four new separate playrooms surrounding the lodge and all opening onto a shared outdoor play area.

A planner for the development said there would be places for 73 children in the proposed childcare centre. There would also be conservation works on The Hunting Lodge, including a demolition of the southeast section of the heritage building.