Parents rally to save Betty Spears Childcare Centre Tempe from electric bus depot expansion

Families are fighting to save a long-running childcare centre amid fears it could be forced to close as part of a NSW Government plan to expand a bus station for a fleet of ‘zero emissions’ buses.

There are fears a four-decade old childcare centre could be booted out from its long-term home as part of a NSW Government plan to expand an inner city bus station to cater for a fleet of new “zero emissions” buses.

Transport for NSW is locked in talks with the Betty Spears Childcare Centre in Tempe as it plans to upgrade and expand the adjacent Tempe Bus Depot.

The plans have sparked uncertainty among childcare staff with fears the expansion could result in the closure of the centre which has operated at the site since 1984.

The depot expansion is part of the government’s $3 billion “zero emissions bus” program which has a goal of transitioning 8000 diesel and gas buses to a zero emissions fleet.

As part of the program, Tempe Bus Depot needs to be expanded to accommodate the electrical and charging infrastructure that will support the new climate-friendly vehicles.

The Betty Spears Childcare Centre in Tempe.

A childcare spokeswoman said original advice from Transport for NSW was the redevelopment would involve expanding the bus depot onto land occupied by the centre.

The centre caters for 87 children and 74 families on land owned by Transport for NSW as part of a lease agreement due to expire in early 2025.

Latest research shows childcare centres are in high demand in the local area with 1.89 children for every available childcare centre place.

Following a campaign by the childcare centre – including a petition designed by more than 1000 residents – it is understood Transport for NSW is now considering an alternative plan which could involve the retention of the childcare centre at the site.

The centre has operated since 1984.

The childcare centre spokeswoman said staff had not been told when the centre would have to vacate if required by Transport for NSW but “it could be as soon as the end of our current lease” in February 2025.

“Families are understandably very worried about the centre closing but are hopeful for a positive outcome that will see the centre retained at its current location while the remainder of the depot is redeveloped,” the spokeswoman said.

Transport for NSW in a statement said the department “recognises the significant importance” of the centre to “the families who rely on its service.”

A photo of the Tempe Bus Depot.

“We are working closely with the centre and are looking at options to retain it on the current site at Tempe,” a department spokeswoman said.

“Transport is committed to ensuring the best outcome for parents, children and staff.”

The uncertainty facing the centre has sparked dozens of messages of support from the community with one resident writing: “Childcare is an essential service that should never be taken away.”

A photo of a zero emissions bus.

Across Sydney, there are 11 depots earmarked to be upgraded to accommodate the new environmentally-friendly emissions buses as part the first phase of transition.

The Leichhardt depot will receive the most number of new electric buses (182) while the Tempe depot will receive 112.

The depot upgrades are partly due to charging infrastructure for zero emissions buses which require more space than diesel vehicles.

As of Friday, a total of 1083 people have signed the petition calling for the childcare centre to remain in Tempe.

It is understood a final decision on the site’s future is expected to be made by February.