The Hub childcare provider makes bid for another facility at Cameron Park

A local childcare operator is trying to expand its reach with another facility set for Lake Macquarie. If approved providing more than 120 “much-needed” childcare places.

Proposed childcare centre at Botham St, Cameron Park with 124 places/ Credit: Council documents

As childcare facilities continue to dominate the development space across the Hunter, another major local childcare provider is again planning to expand further.

Late last year a development application was lodged for a $2.7 million childcare centre to be built at Cameron Park, making available 124 new places for pre-school children in the ever growing suburb.

At the heart of a dynamic development zone which has undergone subdivision, the proposed Hub preschool and early education academy centre would be located at the western end of the Cameron Park/North Lakes release area on Botham St.

Plans include a single-storey building with large outdoor play areas, commercial kitchen, art and craft room, nappy change rooms and 30 parking spaces.

Artist impression: Proposed childcare centre at Botham St, Cameron Park with 124 places Credit: Council documents

The proposed facility would operate as a long-day childcare centre between the hours of 6:30am to 6pm and house 28 full and part time staff, with three support staff.

If approved, it would form part of a large number of centres already operating across the Hunter including at Mayfield, Waratah, Sandgate, Elermore Vale, Rutherford and Broadmeadow.

Planners have recommended Lake Macquarie City Council approve the development, citing it will provide “much-needed” childcare places on the northern side of Lake Macquarie, catering for the rapidly growing urban release area.

It will also be a positive boost for the local economy with minimum impacts.

“The site is relatively isolated in terms of noise and amenity impacts, with no residential development to the south and west, and public roads to two frontages,” a planner said.

The proposed centre would be among an urban release area in Cameron Park. Credit: Council documents

“Visual privacy, potential noise and overlooking impacts will not be significant as the facility will focus noise-generating activities toward the outdoor play areas that overlook the drainage reserve rather than adjoining residential lots and there will be no overshadowing of nearby residential property.

“The proposed childcare centre will have a positive economic impact on the locality in that it will generate additional local, short and long term employment that will result in additional spending in local businesses.

“It has been found that the proposed development will have minimal and acceptable impacts on the natural or built environment.”

The development is currently pending approval from Council.