Eden Academy (Wandal) and Coastal Kids (Taranganba) to expand with new centres in CQ

Two reputable companies have plans to expand with new childcare centres in Rockhampton and Yeppoon. Between 2020 and 2021, there was a 15 per cent increase in births at Rockhampton Hospital.

A new childcare centre has been proposed across from The Hall State School. Renders: On Architecture

With waiting lists at childcare centres across the region growing by the day, national companies are looking to open in Central Queensland and existing businesses are expanding.

In the past few weeks, two new childcare centre applications have been lodged with the Rockhampton and Livingstone councils.

Coastal Kids, that has a centre in Emu Park, is looking to expand with a 180-place centre in Taranganba, while boutique and holistic childcare company Eden Academy, has submitted plans to build a centre in Wandal.

This now marks 10 applications to the two councils in just over the last year.

A rise in the demand for childcare centres can be reflected in the region’s birth data.

Between 2020 and 2021, there was an increase of 15 per cent in births at the Rockhampton Base Hospital.

These births have been dubbed “Covid babies” as many were born during the pandemic.

The demand for childcare can also be attributed to the number of southerners moving to the region, escaping lockdowns and harsher regulations in the cities.

EDEN ACADEMY WANDAL

Eden Academy has submitted plans to develop a centre at 25 Gillespie Street and 7, 11 Murray Street, Wandal, across from The Hall State School.

The childcare centre would located across from The Hall State School.

The sites currently have three houses which would be demolished to make way for the redevelopment.

The centre would have a capacity of 90 children with 15 full-time staff and operate from 6.30am to 6.30pm, Monday to Friday.

The floor plans include six dedicated activity spaces, a multipurpose room, outdoor play areas on ground and upper floor levels, amenities, reception, staff and service areas.

Access to and from the centre would be from a driveway on Murray Street.

Renders by On Architecture for the new childcare centre proposed in Wandal. Eden Academy has site

Renders: On Architecture

Renders: On Architecture

Renders: On Architecture

Renders: On Architecture

COASTAL KIDS TARANGANBA

At the coast, Kerrie and Shaun Corrigan have applied to open a Coastal Kids childcare centre and kindy on Taranganba Road.

The centre would be part of a subdivision, which plans were lodged for in late 2021 by developers Wayne Riddell and Andrew Beaumont.

Coastal Kids would be constructed instead of stage 3B of the residential estate.

The application states the centre would be constructed in two stages.

Plans for the new Coastal Kids childcare centre and kindy at Taranganba.

The first stage would begin once approvals are completed and would have capacity for up to 130 children with 23 staff and the second stage would be constructed in line with demand, with additional capacity for 50 more space and four more staff.

The centre would operate between 6.15am and 6.15pm, Monday to Friday.

It would be accessed from Frangipani Drive and a proposed new road.

The application notes the business owners have had strong demand from families to expand into Yeppoon as many of them commute to Emu Park each day.

The Emu Park centre was approved in December to add room for 50 more children.

The new centre would be located 330 metres from existing childcare centre, Taranganba Early Learning.

“Although nearby, we believe current demands see both of these centres currently at full capacity,” the application notes.

Both childcare centre applications are now being assessed by council officers.

Originally published as Eden Academy (Wandal) and Coastal Kids (Taranganba) to expand with new centres in CQ