Dean Kelly: Albury neighbour warns against plans for new childcare centre

An Albury resident has serious concerns about a new childcare centre proposed for Sackville Street. Here’s why.

An Albury resident has warned against the construction of a new childcare centre on Sackville Street in Albury.

Dean Kelly, who lives behind the proposed site, said the location for a centre for 25 children with three staff was “completely inappropriate”.

The centre was proposed for 698 Sackville St and the plan included demolishing an existing house and garage, removing vegetation, adding a carpark and other landscaping works and business signs.

The application was lodged in October 2021 and has received more than 20 objections and one petition with about 125 signatures.

Mr Kelly has lived with his family in Jones St for 16 years and said the centre was not suitable for a residential area.

“I do not oppose the development of childcare centres generally … but what I do oppose is the development of childcare centres in established residential areas where the site is inappropriate, unsuitable and unsafe,” Mr Kelly said during a community forum on Monday night.

“As a resident of the neighbourhood and a daily user of the road, I have serious concerns about the capacity of the road and the safety of the users during peak periods.

“With the centre being so close to one of the busiest roundabouts in Albury and the poor design of the car park, my concerns are that a very serious accident will occur.”

The childcare centre will go where an existing home is on Sackville Street.

The centre would be close to a roundabout and residents were concerned that clients parking on the street could create queuing at the intersection.

Mr Kelly said locals were also worried about extra traffic and noisy children at an external playground linked to the centre.

Early childhood teacher Georgina Antoune spoke in support of the centre and said traffic was unlikely to be an issue.

“The early childhood centre we’ve designed is lovely and boutique, it’s something I’d like to work in,” Ms Antoune said.

“In Sydney, my mum owned a centre but I managed it for 17 long years and so I’m very familiar with all concerns around the industry.

Ms Antoune said the centre would use a pedagogy teaching framework.

“The learning program and the curriculum is driven by the national quality framework, the curriculum is very individualised for each child and each family that we serve.

“It’s been my experience that traffic occurs over a staggered period from 7am to 10am, it really all relates to the individual needs of the parents and the same in the afternoon, we never had concerns when I managed it in Sydney.”

An assessment will soon be completed and a report will be prepared for the council to consider in July.