Parra News April 9 2024

LOCAL NEWS
Court defies original Council
call and will allow new centre
ELLIE BUSBY
A
plan for a new 83-person childcare
facility in Northmead, which
was originally rejected by City of
Parramatta Council, has now been given
new life by the Land and Environment Court.
Despite initial concerns the proposed development
was not in “the public’s interest”, a
plan to construct a two-storey childcare
centre at 11-13 Campbell Street, Northmead,
will now go ahead.
It will see the amalgamation of two lots,
which are currently occupied by a residential
dwelling at 11 Campbell Street and vacant
land at 13 Campbell Street.
Operating Monday to Friday, from 7am
to 6pm, the centre will include basement
parking for 22 vehicles, including 10 staff car
spaces.
13 staff members will be employed at the
facility, which will feature four indoor play
spaces, three outdoor play areas, a kitchen,
laundry, staff room and cot room across the
basement and two floors.
The facility will have space for 45 children
between the ages of three and six-years-old,
30 for two to three-year-olds and eight children
between zero and two-years-old.
Located opposite the Northmead Shopping
Village, with the Northmead Creative and
An artist’s impression of the Northmead childcare centre.
Performing Arts High School just 200m east of
the site, the childcare centre will be built in a
busy area of Northmead.
The proposal was originally refused by
Parramatta Council in October last year over
concerns it would have an adverse impact on
the surrounding built environment, unacceptable
pedestrian safety impacts and fail to
provide adequate parking spaces.
“The development is considered an overdevelopment
of the site as the operation of
the facility results in undesirable amenity
impacts for adjoining properties, and unacceptable
pedestrian safety impacts within the
locality,” a Council report said.
However, amended plans led to the Land
and Environment Court giving the proposed
development the tick of approval for construction.
“The Council has considered the amended
plans and additional material provided by the
applicant in response to the contentions and
is now satisfied that the proposed development
is appropriate for a grant of development
consent,” Land and Environment Court document
said.
“The development will have an acceptable
impact on the amenity of surrounding properties
and the locality in terms of acoustics,
privacy and streetscape.”
A slew of recommendations have also been
made to help mitigate noise from impacting
the surrounding area, including limiting
outdoor play to a maximum of four hours a
day, sound barrier walls and moving crying
children indoors.
What do you think about the childcare
centre planned for Northmead? Let us know
at news@parranews.com.au.
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