A 120-place, single-storey childcare centre on Waterford Road in Ellen Grove has been proposed in a recently submitted development application to meet surging demand for local childcare services in the area.
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The 998 sqm centre will include three outdoor play areas, as well as 37 parking spaces for staff and visitors.
If approved, it will replace an existing residential dwelling on the site. The dwelling house will be demolished without needing planning approval prior to construction of the proposed 120-place childcare facility.
Verve Design Group designed the modern facility, which will feature spaces for nursery, and children aged 16-24 months, 2-3 years, and 3-5 years.
The proposed childcare facility will assist in providing an essential service to the growing local community, as population projections estimate a continued increase in demand for childcare from the current catchment area population of 22,926 residents, a figure expected to reach over 28,000 by 2041.
“The proposed development of 120 places will only partially address the current structural shortfall in places supply, even if two other proposed (but not yet approved) centres are also progressed. This reflects the predominance of supply within the adjacent suburb of Forest Lake and the current paucity of supply in the suburb of Ellen Grove,” planners stated.
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Temporary vehicle access is provided via Waterford Road along the eastern boundary until the rear road is constructed, while a dedicated pedestrian entrance directly connects the facility to Waterford Rd.
If approved, the proposed childcare centre will operate Monday to Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. to utilise its accessibility to nearby transportation corridors in order to provide a needed service for local families and caregivers.
Published 29-November-2023