A petition against the proposed expansion of an already-approved childcare centre in a booming beachside area has been received by Sunshine Coast Council.
The proposal to develop a two-storey childcare centre at 27 Tailslide Crescent, Bokarina, was initially submitted to the council in September.
A 76-place childcare centre is already approved for the site but the new application proposes a capacity of 104 children, which was reduced to 102 in December in response to a council information request.
The petition, which had 177 signatures, was presented by divisional councillor Tim Burns at the January 29 ordinary meeting, with councillors unanimously agreeing to receive the petition.
“The submitters suggest there are some fundamental design conflicts with the master plan,” Cr Burns said.
The petition asks the council to “prioritise community safety, amenity and proper planning before approving any increase”.
“While we support the need for quality childcare, this proposal is too large for the site and will create unacceptable traffic, parking and safety impacts for our community,” it states.
“Only 11 short-stay visitor bays are proposed for up to 104 children, meaning vehicles will queue into the street at peak drop-off and pick-up times. The local road network is narrow, with Tailslide Crescent already under pressure from existing residential and restaurant parking.
“Current planning standards would require at least 39 car spaces, but the proposal includes only 29 (since revised to 28).”
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A report by Holland Traffic Consulting with the application notes that 39 car spaces is less than the required one visitor space per five children but argues “sufficient on-site car parking is provided for the number and type of vehicles likely to be generated by the commercial activity”.
It also points out the car parking provisions would be acceptable under the draft Sunshine Coast Planning Scheme, which has a childcare centre parking rate of one space per 3.6 children.
The petition also identifies concerns around pedestrian and cyclist safety, and residential amenity.
“Many children walking or riding to Kawana State College cross Tailslide Crescent during morning peak hours,” it says.
“Increased traffic from the childcare centre poses a serious risk of conflict between vehicles and young pedestrians and cyclists. The lack of safe crossings or traffic-calming measures make this risk unacceptable.
“The development would worsen on-street parking congestion, increase noise and reduce neighbourhood safety and accessibility. Residents, trades and local businesses already compete for limited street parking.”
The applicant’s response to the council in December says the proposal would generate an additional 11 vehicle trips during peak hour.
“This equates to one additional trip every 5-6 minutes in the peak hour, which would have no measurable impact on the local road network or intersection performance,” it states.
The petition asks the council to conduct a full traffic and parking assessment for the proposal; to require a reduction in capacity or additional on-site parking; to impose conditions on traffic and parking management including staggered session times; and to implement measures to protect pedestrian and cyclist safety, particularly for schoolchildren.
Cr Burns, reading from the submission, said the proposal would be an “over-intensification” of the site and did not integrate sensitively with adjoining residential uses.
“The applicant’s responses do not resolve these matters and instead confirm the proposal is over-developed, relies on maximum boundary mitigation and achieves compliance only under-utilised operational assumptions,” he said.
“Accordingly the application should be refused, or alternatively, be returned for substantial redesign or reduction in childcare capacity.”
Cr Burns also paid tribute to the efforts of the petitioners.
“I’m grateful to the residents of Bokarina Beach for organising so constructively and engaging in an appropriate manner through this,” he said.
The application is still undergoing assessment.
Sunshine Coast News attempted to contact the applicants but no response was received.
