A proposed 94-place childcare centre for Fairy Meadow is facing a significant planning hurdle due to its location near multiple petrol stations, requiring Wollongong City Council to consider a variation to its development rules.
Rule Variation Sought for Service Station Proximity
A development application has been submitted for a two-storey facility at 31-33 Norman Street, a site that backs onto the Woolworths supermarket at Fairy Meadow. The proposal involves demolishing two existing homes to make way for the centre.
The city's development control plan clearly states that a childcare centre cannot be within a 500-metre radius of a service station. This rule exists to minimise potential health and safety risks to young children and staff. However, there are three service stations within that radius of the Norman Street site.
A variation request has been formally lodged to address this non-compliance. The accompanying statement of environmental effects argues that while the site is near multiple service stations, it is not in a direct impact area. It points to existing one to three-storey buildings to the north and south as buffers against potential odour and noise.
Two-Storey Design and Operational Details
The proposal also seeks to vary another standard, which typically restricts the second storey of a childcare centre to storage and staff training. The proponent wants to locate four playrooms across both levels.
The statement of environmental effects explains this design aims to optimise land use and meet required play space and amenity standards. The ground floor would house two playrooms and facilities specifically for the youngest children.
The centre is planned to cater for up to 24 children aged 0-2 years and 70 children aged 2-5 years. Lifts and stairwells would provide access between floors. On-site parking for 29 vehicles is included in the plans.
Traffic and Drop-Off Management Plans
Anticipated peak times for the facility are between 7am and 9am for drop-offs and 4pm to 5:30pm for pick-ups. The application states that appropriate staff levels will monitor these periods, with clearly designated car spaces for the purpose.
A traffic study submitted with the DA concludes that impacts on the local road network would be minimal. It found that key intersections, including Princes Highway with Norman Street and Smith Street-Balgownie Road, would continue to operate at a satisfactory level of service once the development is fully occupied.
The application, prepared by Toth and Partners, is now before Wollongong City Council for assessment. The council must weigh the need for additional childcare services against strict planning controls designed to protect children's welfare.
