Childcare centre approved for Ballan

By Lachlan Ellis

The development of a new childcare centre in Ballan has been unanimously approved by Council, with development to begin within two years of the permit being issued.

The application to develop a childcare centre, remove vegetation, and reduce the standard parking rate at 14 Stead Street, Ballan, came before Council at its Development Assessment Committee (DAC) meeting on Wednesday 20 April.

Under the terms of the application, the site must have a minimum of 18 parking spaces, with a maximum number of children permitted at the centre at any one time being 102.

The hours of operation set out in the application document are from 6.00 am to 6.00 pm, Monday to Friday.

Three objections to the application were received with a fourth withdrawn. None of the objectors spoke to the item at the DAC meeting, but their objections were added to the application document.

One objector argued that “a commercial use within a General Residential Zone is not in accordance with neighbourhood character”, and the childcare centre would generate traffic and noise.

“Childcare centres do require a permit in residential zones but are not prohibited. Ballan is the second largest town within the Shire and is a rural service centre and commuter town with many residents travelling to Ballarat, Bacchus Marsh, or Melbourne for work,” a Council Officer wrote in response.

“An industrial estate, local businesses and retail and wholesale trade provide local employment. The proposal would provide a service to families in a growing town where childcare services will be increasing in demand.”

The site is around 2,057 sqm and currently hosts a single storey dwelling, outbuildings, trees, and shrubs.

Proposed for the childcare centre are two 0 to 2 year-old rooms, one 2 to 3 year-old room, one 3 to 5 year-old room, one kinder room, and a cot room, each of which will have access to a dedicated washroom with toilets, a kitchenette, and a storeroom.

To read the full story – Simply click on the following link

https://issuu.com/themooraboolnews/docs/mn_2022-05-03/13

in the 3 May 2022 edition
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