Councillors expressed concerns at the lack of a drop-off zone for children. Digital image
By Catherine Watson
DESPITE a detailed 158-page developers report, Bass Coast councillors wasted little time in rejecting plans for a child care centre in San Remo at Wednesday’s council meeting.
Seventy-two objections and one submission were received for the proposed centre in Shetland Heights Road, planned to accommodate up to 100 children and 21 staff.
All councillors acknowledged the need for childcare facilities in the area, but found multiple reasons for rejecting the application despite a council officer’s report recommending approval.
DESPITE a detailed 158-page developers report, Bass Coast councillors wasted little time in rejecting plans for a child care centre in San Remo at Wednesday’s council meeting.
Seventy-two objections and one submission were received for the proposed centre in Shetland Heights Road, planned to accommodate up to 100 children and 21 staff.
All councillors acknowledged the need for childcare facilities in the area, but found multiple reasons for rejecting the application despite a council officer’s report recommending approval.
Moving the motion to reject the permit, Cr Jon Temby cited its inappropriate location, lack of access to public transport, insufficient parking, commercialisation of residential areas and environmental breaches.
“This proposal may meet our very narrow Planning Act criteria but it is way outside the accepted community safety expectations and has attracted widespread detailed and justified objections. We should respect and reflect on those objections.
“We should actively work with the developer to locate and develop their proposed San Remo childcare centre on a much larger site that can accommodate sufficient parking for all staff and visitors and which has safe off-street drop-off and pickup arrangements.”
Cr Jan Thompson said there were real concerns for the safety of children.
“There's no real defined drop-off area and the proposed on-site parking spaces reserved for staff gives concern that parents will drop off on the roadway or park cars either side of the road.
“Given the proposal to mind over 100 children, the drop-off and pick-up times will mean chaos.”
Cr Mat Morgan the safety risk made it impossible for him to support the proposal.
“We talk a lot about our reliance on vehicles and cars in Bass Coast. And this is a perfect example of why we need to make our towns more accessible so we can actually fit in essential services like childcare.”
Cr Rochelle Halstead noted that the proposal had received 72 objections from a total of 82 notifications in the local area.
She said it showed the shortcoming of the Planning Act, with councils obliged to determine whether an application met planning guidelines, while the councillors’ role was to represent their communities.
“What this application does is expose the very limited ability that councillors now have to represent the feelings of their community. We're constantly advised that as long as it is within the planning regulations, then it will go through.
“I feel incredibly frustrated that I come into this council chamber so often and that is what we are presented with.
“Communities are not built on just regulation. Communities are built on understanding the area in which people live, the character that it comes with. And that can't be put into legislation.”
“This proposal may meet our very narrow Planning Act criteria but it is way outside the accepted community safety expectations and has attracted widespread detailed and justified objections. We should respect and reflect on those objections.
“We should actively work with the developer to locate and develop their proposed San Remo childcare centre on a much larger site that can accommodate sufficient parking for all staff and visitors and which has safe off-street drop-off and pickup arrangements.”
Cr Jan Thompson said there were real concerns for the safety of children.
“There's no real defined drop-off area and the proposed on-site parking spaces reserved for staff gives concern that parents will drop off on the roadway or park cars either side of the road.
“Given the proposal to mind over 100 children, the drop-off and pick-up times will mean chaos.”
Cr Mat Morgan the safety risk made it impossible for him to support the proposal.
“We talk a lot about our reliance on vehicles and cars in Bass Coast. And this is a perfect example of why we need to make our towns more accessible so we can actually fit in essential services like childcare.”
Cr Rochelle Halstead noted that the proposal had received 72 objections from a total of 82 notifications in the local area.
She said it showed the shortcoming of the Planning Act, with councils obliged to determine whether an application met planning guidelines, while the councillors’ role was to represent their communities.
“What this application does is expose the very limited ability that councillors now have to represent the feelings of their community. We're constantly advised that as long as it is within the planning regulations, then it will go through.
“I feel incredibly frustrated that I come into this council chamber so often and that is what we are presented with.
“Communities are not built on just regulation. Communities are built on understanding the area in which people live, the character that it comes with. And that can't be put into legislation.”