Multi-storey childcare centre, cafe pinned for Nowra CBD
A Sydney developer has revealed plans to tackle a childcare crisis in the Shoalhaven, proposing a three-storey, 116 place childcare centre and cafe.
The South Coast News
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A multistorey, mixed-use childcare centre and cafe, with enough space for more than 100 children, has been proposed for a Shoalhaven town grappling with a lack of childcare options.
Submitted by Sydney-based developers Raland Group, the proposal aims to construct the three-storey, 116 place childcare centre and cafe in the Nowra CBD.
Raland Group managing director, Rene Araiji, said the development addressed the need for more childcare in the regional town, labelling the lack of centres a “crisis”.
“This proposed three-storey building is designed to blend with the area’s emerging character and provide much-needed childcare services,” he said.
“The centre will offer a safe, stimulating, and nurturing environment for young children, while also creating valuable employment opportunities in central Nowra.”
The Nowra proposal is not Raland’s first stint at childcare, having already developed 12 centres around NSW.
Mr Araiji said he had seen a “significant halt” of childcare centres being constructed, particularly along the south coast.
“Rising construction costs and interest rate hikes have been major challenges,” he said.
“This stall in new developments is intensifying the problem for families, as many parents face long waiting lists or must travel to neighbouring suburbs for care.”
Mr Araiji’s development firm was already working on a similar childcare centre to the north of the Shoalhaven in Dapto.
He said the new Dapto centre – which was three months from completion – would address the similar need for more childcare in the Wollongong region.
The new mixed-use development comes months after a separate development firm, The Cyclo Group, revealed plans to convert an old squash court and gym into a childcare centre in Bomaderry, just north of the Nowra CBD.
Mr Araiji’s proposal also comes after the NSW government announced in August they would be constructing 100 new preschools around the state, including the Shoalhaven and Wollongong.
NSW Deputy Premier and Early Education Minister Prue Car said this marked a significant step towards fulfilling her government’s promise to build schools and preschools “for communities that need them”.
“Since being elected, we have been working to rebuild public education in NSW,” she said.
“With this record pipeline of tenders and projects going to market, we are getting on with the job of delivering new schools and new facilities quicker.”
For Nowra, the proposed three-storey childcare centre and cafe will be discussed by the Shoalhaven Council in the coming months.
“With its central location and community focus, we aim to support families and contribute to the local economy,” Mr Araiji said.
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