Child centre approved

By Tania Martin
THE Shire of Yarra Ranges has approved an application for a $1 million child care centre in Mt Evelyn, despite residents’ concerns raised over increased traffic.
The centre will provide an extra 75 child care place in the shire, helping to decrease the problem of child care shortages.
Billanook Ward councillor Tim Heenan said one of the council’s concerns was the shortage of child care facilities and that this new development would help reduce those concerns.
Cr Heenan said despite receiving several objections from nearby resident, the council had to weigh up the need for child care spaces against the concerns raised over increased traffic and parking requirements.
“This wasn’t an easy decision for us, but we (the council) feel that the centre will go a long way towards helping working mums and dads out, and helping those who have to travel long distances to get a child care placement,” he said.
The centre will be located on Monbulk Road diagonally across the road from the Mt Evelyn Primary School.
The council has received 14 objections to the application with nearby residents and the Mt Evelyn Primary School council outlining concerns over child safety regarding traffic and parking.
Mt Evelyn businessman Frank Marone, who spoke on behalf of the objectors at last Tuesday night’s council meeting, said safety of the children attending Mt Evelyn Primary School was one of the main concerns in the local community.
However, developer Mary La Rosa said that she had worked closely with the local community to help reduce their concerns over the safety of the children.
Ms La Rosa said she has increased the number of car parks from 12 to 18, with nine for staff and another nine for parent parking.
Ms La Rosa said she has also worked closely with the shire engineer to address the parking issues.
School principal Phil Comport said the school council had put in an objection to the child care centre as it felt there was a big risk to its students regarding road safety.
Mr Comport said Monbulk Road was already busy and was concerned the addition of a child care centre would create a bigger risk for students with the road becoming increasingly busy.
He said the school would seek to ensure student safety was seen as a primary consideration.
“The school and the community acknowledges there is a demand for child care services.
“However, services provided need to be in an appropriate location and make sure consideration is given to other issues such as the traffic conditions,” he said.
Ms La Rosa said she hopes to start construction on the child care centre by March.