Plans for a childcare centre with almost 150 places in a yet-to-be-developed part of the Sunshine Coast have been submitted for approval.
The centre proposed for the 3471sqm site at Banya would have eight activity rooms on the ground floor plus a small first-floor area as a staff retreat.
A town planning report by Evolve Planning on behalf of Banya ELC Property One Pty Ltd says the site is south of the future rail project known as The Wave and currently vacant, with surrounding infrastructure still being built.
“The roads and servicing network providing access to the site is currently under construction and is due to be completed in mid-2026, allowing construction of this development to commence shortly thereafter,” the report states.
The application was lodged with Economic Development Queensland because the land, which is in the master-planned Aura estate, is part of the Caloundra South Priority Development Area (PDA).
The report says the facility would be built on a proposed lot that has been approved by EDQ for a childcare centre.
“Once the surrounding development is complete, the childcare centre will sit within a community hub which also comprises a neighbourhood retail centre across the road, a civic park and a neighbourhood recreation park, and a local community facility,” it says.
“Directly across the road is the Halcyon Coves retirement community, which is currently under construction, with around 50 of the ultimate 450 dwellings complete and occupied.”
The childcare centre would cater for 147 children and 26 full-time equivalent staff, and have a gross floor area of 1128sqm.
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A total of 41 car parking spaces is proposed, which the report acknowledges is short of the required 56. However, it argues the “actual demand” would be 40 spaces.
“A traffic report addresses in detail this shortfall against extensive surveys undertaken on the Sunshine Coast in relation to other childcare centre parking rates and includes a recent Planning and Environment Court ruling of relevance,” it says.
“The proposed on-site parking provision is sufficient to accommodate the predicted 85th percentile parking demand.”
It also argues public transport facilities are nearby and that some customers are likely to walk or cycle.
Vehicle access would be off Musgrave Crescent to the west.
The report says outdoor play areas would be wrapped around the eastern, northern and western sides of the site.
“Each of the eight activity rooms have a direct access to the combined outdoor play area, which has an extensive verandah extending the full length of the building,” it states.
The site sits within the Urban Living Zone of the Caloundra South PDA, which is “intended to comprise of a mix of residential development including houses, multiple residential and other residential opportunities, and their supporting non-residential uses, including schools, shops and childcare centres”.
