Dundas childcare centre at Bennetts Rd West not welcome
Residents have sent a clear message to developers that a childcare centre for almost 60 children is not welcome in their neighbourhood.
A group of residents lobbying against a 57-place childcare centre at Dundas say it would be a horrendous addition to the cul-de-sac.
The group has written 20 letters to Parramatta Council over the application, which will include the demolition of a house to build the $1.9 million centre and 15-space basement carpark at 1 Bennetts Rd West.
Resident spokeswoman Lyn Dolbel highlighted concerns over noise and traffic problems.
“It’s a road but really it’s a cul-de-sac,’’ she said.
“It’s a quiet family street. Kids ride their bikes.
“It’s a designated cycleway to Epping and because we’ve got a footbridge at the end of the road everybody comes from the other side to get to the trains and buses.
“We also have The Ponds Walk so we have a tremendous amount of foot traffic.”
The group will soon undertake a traffic study and is concerned about extra congestion — especially trucks used during construction — that would turn into the street.
“We’re on a bend so it’s really hard to turn into that street,’’ she said.
“We’ve got quite a bit of noise from the other childcare centre (Dundas Childcare Centre) already so it makes it a bit horrendous.
“People with childcare don’t come all within one hour.
“We’re going to keep this in people’s minds.”
A planning panel is expected to consider the application on September 17.
Parramatta councillor Michelle Garrard echoed residents’ concerns.
“Our hands are tied in relation to DAs but in saying that I support the residents’ concerns,’’ she said.
“The street’s not wide enough ... parking is a major issue. This is quite a large childcare centre being proposed with inadequate parking and that location, with parents leaving cars and residents leaving homes on top of that, is going to create chaos.”
Bristol Group’s plans were initially submitted to the council in December and improvements to noise concerns, landscaping and traffic have already been made.
Bristol Group spokesman Sean Muffet did not respond to the Parramatta Advertiser’s request for comment.
Residents who wish to address the Parramatta planning panel about the childcare centre can register with the council.
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