Traffic fears delay childcare centre

By Tania Martin
THE Shire of Yarra Ranges last week deferred a $1 million childcare centre development in Healesville, calling for a traffic assessment to be undertaken.
Ryrie Ward councillor Di Moore said there was a definite need for more childcare places in the area, but she was concerned about increased traffic causing accidents.
The ABC group, one of Australia’s largest private childcare businesses, has applied to develop a centre on the corner of Maroondah Highway and Steel Street.
Council received 12 objections after the plans were advertised.
Nearby resident and objector, Bryan Prior, said several residents were concerned that the childcare facility would affect the amenity of the area.
But, speaking on behalf of ABC, Felicity Simmonds said that the house for the centre would be designed to be visually complementary to the area’s aesthetics.
Mr Prior said he was also concerned that the nearby centre Puggles in Badger Creek would be forced to close with the addition of the ABC centre.
He said if Puggles closed the area would lose 48 childcare places.
Cr Moore said the issue of competition affecting the Badger Creek centre had nothing to do with the council, and that it wouldn’t affect the decision to the grant the permit.
Mr Prior also raised concerns over the increase in traffic conditions in Steel Street and Maroondah Highway.
He said he has measured Steel Street where the proposed centre would go, and that if cars are parked on either side in peak hours, there would only be a three metre space for vehicles to get through.
He said this would restrict Steel Street to one-way traffic causing accidents and congestion.
Ms Simmonds said that ABC has looked at similar applications for childcare centres that had been assessed by the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal.
She said the requirements outlined by VCAT show that 17.5 car spaces are required for a facility of 90 children, and that ABC has proposed a 23-lot car park.
Cr Moore said her local knowledge suggested traffic management would be a problem.
A traffic management report will be undertaken and presented to the council at its meeting next week.