VCAT approves 139-space childcare centre at Heathmont’s Canterbury Rd abandoned church site
It’s been left to rot for years — and believed to have been used by squatters — but one of the biggest eyesores in Maroondah is set to be wiped away. Here’s what’s planned.
Outer East
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One of Heathmont’s biggest eyesores is set to be cleaned up after VCAT approved plans for a massive double-storey childcare centre to replace an abandoned church.
The tribunal overturned Maroondah Council’s decision to not grant a permit for the proposed 139-space centre at 203-205 Canterbury Rd on July 17.
It came following a three-day hearing in June, initiated by an appeal from applicants Hume Childcare.
The church, believed to have been abandoned for years, has fallen into disrepair and long been suspected of housing squatters.
Leader reported on its state last year after vandals trashed the site and it was found to be filled with rubbish, graffiti and broken windows.
Residents have long been irked by a lack of action on the site since it was sold for $3.4 million in November 2018.
The council rejected the proposed centre in November 2019, claiming it didn’t fit in with the neighbourhood character and the amount of childcare spaces was “excessive”.
During the hearing, the council was also concerned the centre would “not sit as a comfortable companion to residential dwellings adjacent and nearby the site”.
Concerns were also raised by the council and residents in Viviani Crescent, which backs onto the site, that the centre would created increased traffic, parking and noise issues.
Under Hume Childcare’s plan, all cars would enter from a new slip lane on Canterbury Rd and exit onto Viviani Crescent.
In handing down their decision, VCAT’s Alison Glynn and Peter Gaschk said they did not see “any unreasonable amenity impacts” in the proposal following a site inspection.
“We find the proposal is not too intense and therefore … the decision of the responsible authority is set aside,” they said.
The authority gave the centre the green light provided construction commenced within two years to ease the council’s concerns about vandalism at the site.
“We accept council’s concern that the existing site has been the subject of vandalism and development should be proceeded with as soon as possible,” Ms Glynn and Mr Gaschk said.
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