Willoughby Council determines new Hillsong Church childcare centre at View St, Chatswood

A decision has been made on Hillsong Church’s plans for a new childcare centre, as community members raised concerns about potential traffic and noise impacts.

The Hillsong Church has been given the green light to open its first stand-alone childcare centre in Sydney – despite last minute objections from residents over potential traffic impacts and noise.

A 55-space early learning Hillsong childcare centre catering for children aged up to five is one step closer to being built at 5 View St, Chatswood after the project was supported by Willoughby Council’s local planning panel at a meeting last week.

The $747,549 development will become the first stand-alone childcare centre for Hillsong, which currently runs one other centre attached to the main Hillsong Church Hills Campus in Baulkham Hills.

Planning documents lodged by the church states the centre would integrate a Christian curriculum in the delivery of its education program, which would support the wellbeing and holistic development of children.

A plan of management states the centre would also offer an opportunity for children to know Christ in a personal way, thrive and flourish and become resilient adults.

The centre will be located in the St Paul’s Anglican Church building.

The centre will be located within the existing St Paul’s Anglican Church building on View St site, which will be modified as part of the development.

The approval came after residents raised objections over potential noise impacts, the suitability of the development in the residential area, and the demand for another childcare centre in Chatswood.

A photo of the centre’s plan of management.

Residents speaking at the recent planning panel meeting also raised concerns over potential traffic impacts on the surrounding road network including Fullers Rd and the Pacific Hwy.

“Childcare centres in Chatswood have been struggling even before Covid due to an oversupply and centres have been closing due to low occupancy,” resident Joy Kelly said.

“The proposed centre could not be in a worse location for car travel and the traffic will cause excessive queuing and road blocks which could lead to road rage.

“It will also will create more congestion at the intersection of Fullers Rd and the Pacific Hwy which is already beyond capacity.”

Residents raised concerns over traffic impacts on already congested roads including the Pacific Hwy.

The planning panel, in its decision, said the concerns raised by the community had been “adequately addressed” in a list of conditions Hillsong must comply with as part of the approval.

The conditions include a requirement for crying children in outdoor play areas to be comforted and moved indoors as quickly as possible to reduce noise impacts on neighbours.

Windows and doors to the indoor play rooms will also have to be closed during noisy activities such as when amplified music is being played.

Parents and carers of children attending the centre must also be given clear instructions on the use of car park spaces, and a traffic marshall will have to be employed during the peak morning and afternoon pick up and drop off periods.

The church currently has a childcare centre at Baulkham Hills.

The planning panel found the development would “provide a suitable and practical space for education and early learning” and was “is in the public interest”.

A Hillsong spokesman said the company was “looking forward to providing enhanced outcomes to communities, families and children” in the Chatswood area.

“Hillsong has been providing early education and care for the past 17 years in the Hills district community and we have achieved recognition for our service and collaboration with our community,” he said.

“This is another opportunity for us to provide a quality service in the Chatswood area.

“We are committed to best practice in all aspects of our operations including secure, respectful and reciprocal relationships and partnerships to provide strong family and community engagement to enable children’s health, learning and wellbeing.”

Plans show the centre will include playroom nurseries, an outdoor play area, landscaping works, security fencing, toy storage rooms and 41 carpark spaces.

The site was previously occupied by an International Chinese School which has since relocated to St Leonards.

Once built, the centre will employ up to 15 staff and operate between 7am to 6pm on Monday and Friday.