Childcare knock back

By Tania Martin
A PROPOSED Belgrave childcare centre was rejected last week following concerns over parking.
The application was for a 50-place childcare centre at 1588 Burwood Highway, Belgrave.
Shire of Yarra Ranges councillor Samantha Dunn said although there was a desperate need for more childcare, this was not the right location for a centre.
The proposal was knocked back at a meeting last Tuesday 11 August, after the council received more than 14 objections.
Objector Kate Gustke said the main concern was for the safety of the children attending the centre and local residents.
She said the application lacked adequate parking, which would increase the possibility of an accident occurring on Burwood Highway or in the surrounding area including Dickinson Street.
“It proposes an unacceptable risk to children and parents using the centre,” Ms Gustke said.
“It needs to be located elsewhere or have a substantial reduction in the numbers to reduce the impact on the residents and on the hazards for the traffic.”
The proposal would allow for seven car parking spaces but Cr Dunn believed there should be at least 10 spaces.
VicRoads has also agreed to reduce the speed limit to 50 around the site, and for an additional turning lane to be installed.
Ms Gustke said there would need to be seven parking spaces alone to cater for the staff.
But developer and Upwey man, John Eagles said not everyone would need to drive to work.
He also claimed that there would be staggered starting times for the staff.
Mr Eagles said he understood the residents’ concerns but had a detailed traffic safety report undertaken before purchasing the land.
“It (safety) was the first thing I looked at … I have just gone by the expert advice I was given,” he said.
“My consultants, VicRoads and the council engineers indicated that with the changed conditions of turning lanes and extending the 50 zones, the site would be okay.”
Cr Dunn last week moved a motion to reject the application because of the parking and traffic issues.
The move was unanimously accepted by the council.
Cr Dunn said on both occasions when she attempted an inspection of the site she almost had a car accident.
“I was so concerned I was going to be rear-ended I ended up parking in nearby Dickinson Street,” she said.