Bell Post Hill childcare centre Imagination Garden to expand for more children despite council concerns

Geelong council’s approval for a northside childcare centre to offer more places is set to spark a probe into how to manage an expected rush of development in the area.

A Bell Post Hill childcare could soon accommodate up to 156 children under a new amendment approved by the City of Greater Geelong.

The applicant, Sincock Planning was granted approval allowing Imagination Garden childcare centre at 21-27 Rollins Road to accommodate an additional 33 children, despite more than 50 objections.

Original design for the Bell Post Hill childcare centre and housing precinct plan.

The initial application included plans for an expanded childcare centre featuring several rooms, an administration area, kitchen, bathroom facilities and a pantry as well as nine homes on a site next to the childcare centre.

The amended proposal removed references to a food and drink premise being constructed on site, becoming the basis of many objectors disapproval.

Other concerns held by the community related to traffic impacts on residential streets.

An additional two carparks reserved for staff will be delivered at the rear of the site, in keeping with the requirements of the planning scheme.

Director of City Planning and Economy, Gareth Smith, welcomed the decision but admitted an investigation will be required to assess whether further traffic control measures will be needed around Tova Ave and Rollins Rd to improve local traffic.

The site forms part of a larger subdivision that is currently under construction and which will create 36 residentially-zoned lots and a public reserve.

The area could also face more traffic if council’s proposal to sell off land for social housing at 2-14 Rollins Rd — which has also attracted community uproar — goes ahead.

Mr Smith said the increased capacity at the centre would provide an important boost to local families.

“The centre is easily accessible by the Geelong Ring Road and close to other key services such as the main campus of the Rollins Primary School,” Mr Smith said.

A new childcare building used for a kindergarten will be located where the previous food and drink premises had been approved.

The existing childcare centre, Imagination Garden, is fully constructed and operational while the nine dwellings are near completion.

Originally published as Bell Post Hill childcare centre Imagination Garden to expand for more children despite council concerns