Council defies opposition to back tots’ centre

OPPOSITION to a new childcare centre at Emerald has been overruled by Cardinia Shire Council with councillors giving it the goahead.
The council last week gave notice of its decision to grant a planning permit for the 60berth childcare centre to be built on the corner of the BelgraveGembrook Road and Como Street.
Several residents had opposed the development and Emerald Ward councillor Ed Chatwin also voted against it at the town planning meeting.
Cr Chatwin’s Emerald Ward colleague Graeme Legge moved the recommendation of approval.
Cr Legge said conditions placed on the permit would go a long way to resolving objectors’ concerns.
Cr Chatwin based his opposition on fears for the safety of children and their parents going to and from the facility and the potential for accidents at the intersection of BelgraveGembrook Road and Como Street.
The councillor said he did not agree with an assessment by VicRoads that Como Street was a lowspeed environment and appropriate location for vehicle access to the centre.
“We are (duty bound) to ensure the wellbeing of the community is taken into account. I don’t believe this (proposal) has done so,” Cr Chatwin said.
Cr Legge said he had some concern about road conditions but was confident any problems could be addressed.
“It is appropriate to give approval,” Cr Legge said.
As well as 10 objections, the council received one letter of support for the application.
Objectors cited concerns about car parking and the potential for traffic congestion and other road safety issues.
Residents were also concerned the childcare centre would be competing against other nonprofit community operations.
Supporters of the proposal said Emerald was seriously lacking in childcare services and the new centre would be an asset for the town.
The childcare centre will be a singlestorey building with four separate internal play areas and is expected to employ eight people and operate from 7am to 7pm Monday to Friday.
An officer’s report to the council meeting said engineering staff had inspected the area to assess concerns about traffic.
The report said the intersection of BelgraveGembrook Road and Como Street had good sight lines to the east with some obstruction to the west.
“Traffic speeds are limited to 60 kilometres per hour and while the right turn manoeuvre is complicated by the railway line it does not present sufficient grounds for refusal on that basis,” the report said.
Councillors were told proposed improvements to Como Street would provide better traffic conditions at the intersection and reduce dust.
These include sealing the area outside the centre and putting in a footpath as well as providing car parking.
Cr Brett Owen said the council would monitor traffic in the area to see if any further controls were required.