Plans lodged for 130-place childcare centre at Mount Barker at long-vacant site on

After multiple failed proposals, long-term vacant land in Mount Barker would finally be developed under a new plan.

Artistic impressions of proposed new 130-place childcare centre at Hurling Drive, Mount Barker. Picture: ON Architecture

Adelaide Hills land that’s been vacant for nearly a century could be finally developed and transformed into a vibrant childcare centre for 130 kids under revised plans.

Multiple developments have been proposed – and some even approved – for the huge site in Mount Barker’s south, but were never constructed.

Now, a single-storey children’s haven would be built on the 2800 sqm site at Hurling Dr, under development plans lodged with the local council.

The centre would feature eight activity rooms – with capacity ranging from 12 to 22 spaces – a reception, two sleeping rooms, a kitchen, a staffroom and office, a laundry and washrooms.

Kids will have plenty of space to play outdoors with three separate play areas surrounding the centre that will include small shade trees, screen planting, shrubs, and native ground covers.

If approved, the centre would operate between 6.30am to 6.30pm on weekdays.

Artist impression of proposed 130-place childcare centre in the Adelaide Hills. Picture: ON Architecture

Artist impression of proposed 130-place childcare centre at Hurling Drive, Mount Barker. Picture: ON Architecture

Artist impression of proposed 130-place childcare centre at Hurling Drive, Mount Barker. Picture: ON Architecture

A significant tree would need to be removed, but there would be plenty of new landscaping around the centre and next to a 33-space carpark.

It’s perfectly located near several community services – a factor that’s expected to appeal to local families – including Mount Barker South Primary School, the Willows Children’s Centre, Adult Community Education Regional, and the Church of Jesus Christ Latter Saints.

A two-storey, 140-space childcare centre was previously green-lit for the site in 2020, but that approval has lapsed, sending the developers back to the drawing board.

The new plans, which have redesigned the carpark, are more consolidated and occupy less land – leaving room for future residential developments.

The site has been undeveloped since the 1930s despite its commercial zoning and proposals for retail developments in 1993 and 2015 – but no

Originally published as Plans lodged for 130-place childcare centre at Mount Barker at long-vacant site on