By Mikayla Van Loon
A childcare centre in Mount Evelyn has been approved after much debate by councillors at the Yarra Ranges Council meeting last week.
The proposed property at 1A Gear Avenue sits within a Low Density Residential Zone with direct access from York Road, behind the police station.
The two storey building is said to cater for up to 96 children, aged zero to five from Monday to Friday 7am to 7pm.
Objections to the application included one from Frank Smith who spoke to his submission at the 26 April meeting.
“We all recognise the need for childcare facilities and also, in fact, for aged care facilities, however, this is one example of a situation where it is an inappropriate place for such a development,” he said.
Mr Smith raised concerns about the noted 217 per cent increase in traffic on a local road and the congestion it would cause at the intersection of York Road.
With the applicants from Dovetail Developments also speaking at the meeting, the town planner on the project, Henry Wood, said they would adhere to any and all permit conditions.
This includes a left hand turn only from the site, no standing signage along Gear Avenue, a footpath from the childcare centre to York Road, as well as a refined parking management plan.
“We’re realistic. We know not everyone is going to be happy with this development but Dovetail has, at least in my opinion, they’ve gone the extra mile to try and address resident concerns,” Mr Wood said.
“Specifically they’ve sought some further expert advice in relation to traffic matters, including modelling the capacity of the intersection and we think that should go some way to allay any fears that residents might have about the operation of the road network.”
Councillor Tim Heenan moved an alternative motion to refuse the development of the childcare centre, supported by Cr Len Cox.
Referencing a traffic report that highlighted the proposed upgrades to York Road which are said to “improve the road network connectivity”, Cr Heenan said “that’s a false statement in my eyes”, having not had solid communication about what the York Road upgrades will entail.
Cr Heenan went on to list a range of items that he said did not meet the planning scheme requirements, including neighbourhood character and accessible pathways.
“It does not facilitate an efficient and safe road network”.
“It is a scale [of] intensity which will detract from the amenity of the residential neighbourhood. The scale of the building is out of context with existing buildings and neighbourhood character of the immediate area,” he said.
Cr Cox also referenced the traffic impacts to support his reasoning for refusal, stating that the intersection of Gear Avenue and York Road, with Wray Crescent adjacent, was already overrun.
“I find it difficult to imagine how the traffic would operate or how the people would operate, taking their children there both in the morning and in the afternoon because of that really bad traffic on York Road,” he said.
Cr Fiona McAllister spoke against the alternative recommendation and said given the council officers have approved the application against the planning scheme, as well as the design and distribution guidelines, she could not argue otherwise why the application should be refused.
“Childcare centres are a much needed activity within townships and certainly there is a demand and a need for childcare within that proximity to the local community,” she said.
“I have great empathy for Councillor Heenan as the ward councillor looking to protect the interests of the residents.
“It is a modest, reasonable height, not an excessive number of children with a developer who has been willing to make concessions around traffic and safety and amenity impact.”
Cr Andrew Fullagar and Cr Jim Child each spoke against the refusal as well. The vote for the refusal saw Cr Heenan, Cr Cox and Cr Richard Higgins outnumbered by the against vote.
Cr McAllister was supported by Cr Fullagar in putting forward the recommendation to approve the application, which received the vote from councillors.
