Opposition for Epping childcare centre at 52 Essex St
Critics against an 80-place childcare centre planned in Sydney’s northwest have support from Premier Dominic Perrottet but those backing the proposal say it’s in the public interest.
Northern District Times
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Critics against an 80-place childcare centre slated for Epping joined forces to implore a planning panel to reject the facility, predicting it would compound traffic and flout the neighbourhood's heritage character.
The centre at 52 Essex St was discussed at a Parramatta Local Planning Panel meeting on Tuesday when submissions from residents and Parramatta councillors highlighted the concerns for the Archian development.
The vacant block of land sits in the Essex Street Heritage Conservation Area, which is dominated by terracotta-tiled roofed, single storey houses decked out in traditional federation hues of green and cream.
Independent Parramatta councillor Lorraine Wearne, who has lived in Epping for 45 years, slammed the proposal chiefly arguing it would cause “bumper-to-bumper” traffic congestion.
A Parramatta Council report, which supports the plan, estimates the centre would generate 71 vehicle movements in the morning and 62 in the afternoon peak hours.
Resident James O’Donnell said the childcare centre’s large frontage would not match the surrounding properties, and its design was “unsympathetic” to the typically-federation bungalows.
“If it’s approved you are setting a precedent for other developers to come into this area — and we’re all being approached by developers regularly wanting to build apartment blocks like there are behind us in Forest Grove,’’ he said.
The panel heard how Premier and Epping state Liberal MP Dominic Perrottet also backed residents’ objections.
Parramatta Lord Mayor Donna Davis, whose ward falls under Epping, labelled the development application premature.
He said the 20 basement parking spaces were insufficient because it only allowed six spots for parents to drop off and collect their children after staff occupied 14 places.
“The traffic generated in this part of Epping has magnified since the state government rezoned the Epping Town Centre for high density housing through the implementation of the Epping Urbanisation Activation Precinct,’’ she said.
“The traffic congestion in and around the Epping Town Centre has been exacerbated due to changes to traffic flows introduced in and around Langston Place.
“The flow-on effects are being felt in Essex St.’’
A planner representing the applicants said a 2.1m high fence would address concerns about noise, and consultations would be undertaken regarding asbestos removal on the site.
The number of children allowed outside to play would also be reduced.
The plans drew an influx of submissions, mostly objections, during the public feedback period.
Gripes about traffic, the size of the project, overshadowing, loss of mature vegetation and overshadowing were received.
During June, 41 submissions were received and after the plans were modified, 16 further submissions arrived in August and September.
However, the plans could get the panel’s tick of approval after a council report said it was in the public’s interest.
Council officers stated the demand for child care was high, particularly for children under two.
“The provision of additional childcare places within the locality will enable parents and carers who wish to return to the workforce to do so but presently are unable because of the lack of available childcare places,’’ the report said.
“The proposed childcare centre will have a positive economic benefit in terms of creating direct and indirect employment opportunities … associated with the construction fit-out work and ongoing operation of the centre and purchasing of local goods and services.’’
The report also said the centre’s appearance was considered “satisfactory” by the Design Excellence Advisory Panel, and council officers agreed it fit in with the “future character of the area”.
The centre would operate from 7am to 6.30pm and most youngsters would be preschoolers aged between three and five, followed by toddlers and babies.
The panel is expected to make its decision by the end of the week.
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