A MULTI-MILLION dollar childcare centre is going ahead in Floreat despite claims noise from children playing would be “annoying” to neighbours.
A last minute plea by Cambridge mayor Keri Shannon was also not enough to keep the Metro West Development Assessment Panel from approving the $2.1 million centre on Brookdale Street at its meeting this month.
The application by parents of four Jessica Mills and Chad Cossom is to build a centre known as The Little School, catering to 107 children from babies to five-year-olds and 25 staff, to replace two homes at 130 and 132 Brookdale Street.
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READ NOWIt was originally rejected by the panel in July 2018 because it would adversely impact residents’ amenity.
Ms Shannon described mediation that followed the rejection as “more akin to facilitation” and argued Town planning staff did not have the power to impose a condition that required extension of the median island so drivers could only turn left in and out of the centre.
She also noted potential further development of Floreat Forum would increase traffic and believed the centre posed a “disastrous outcome”.
Neighbour Penelope Melis opposed the centre, saying traffic would increase by 1000 per cent, causing unsafe conditions and potential “wheel spinning” and “foul language” by frustrated drivers.
“We have nothing to gain but everything to lose with approval of this development,” she said.
Cambridge councillor Andres Timmermanis picked apart the application, believing it would have negative “real world” impacts from traffic, parking and noise, despite this going against the Town’s report.
He challenged the acoustic report that said noise generated by children at the centre would have minimal impact and argued the development should be assessed on its effect on neighbours and the community.
“We all know that this sort of thing next to us would be very annoying with the noise,” he said.
Ms Mills, who grew up in the area, said the centre would focus on children’s psychological wellbeing, offering activities including yoga.
It will nature play elements including cubbies, a water fountain and creek, outdoor meals area, campsite with fire pit, vegetable planters and an aviary.
“We asked our designers to create a space that embodied a relaxed, natural Australian home,” she said.
The centre will open 7am to 6.30pm weekdays and the owners will need to pay for extending the median island and replacing four verge trees being removed.
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