by Emma Ballingall

A childcare centre development has been approved in Drouin despite 117 community objections and concerns it could exacerbate school traffic.

A planning application to build a 45-place centre at 11 Sinclair St split Baw Baw Shire councillors when it was debated at a recent council meeting held in Drouin.
West ward councillors, together with Cr Brendan Kingwill, voted against the application, arguing the location wasn't appropriate.
However, Cr Danny Goss said a childcare centre was allowed under the planning scheme and refusal would only result in "a serious cost to ratepayers" if the decision needed to be defended at VCAT.
After an amendment motion was lost, a five-four vote resulted in council issuing a notice of decision to grant a planning permit.
The planning application lodged by Apex Town Planning detailed a two-storey childcare centre and 10-space carpark on the 1088 square metre site. In an amendment made before the meeting, the maximum number of children was dropped from 54 to 45.
Proposed operating hours are 6.30am to 6.30pm on weekdays, with a maximum of 10 staff on-site at any time.
The site currently has a single-storey weatherboard house and associated outbuildings.
An officer reported noted council had received 117 objections. Three written and four verbal submissions were also made to the council meeting, including one on behalf of the applicants.
Key areas of objections included: traffic impacts; traffic safety; parking pressure; wrong location; need for better infrastructure; minimum school parking available; and, insufficient parking proposed.
In a written submission, Cameron Johnson said approving the application would mean two childcare centres, one kinder and a school all within one street, only furthering traffic congestion.
"Baw Baw Shire listen to your constituents of the area," Mr Johnson appealed. "Say no, no, no."
Graeme and Yvonne Tindle also opposed the development, highlighting a reduction in required carparking spaces on-site and all vehicle access via one-way School Lane.
Mr Tindle said no consideration had been given to Drouin Primary School undergoing a major expansion, which could see an additional 225 students.
Ms Tindle, who has lived in Grant St for more than 20 years, said "such an establishment would have a detrimental effect on the surrounding area" and was concerned centre capacity would only be reviewed and increased in the future.
Drouin CWA's Helen Mulder and Drouin Uniting Church's Stan Rodwell both made submissions at the meeting, with carparking their biggest concern.
Jason Sumner, speaking on behalf of the applicant, accepted traffic issues existed but emphasised childcare centres had staggered arrival and departure times.
He said the site was in a commercial zone - not residential - and met parking requirements if sent to VCAT.
Cr Tricia Jones said a childcare centre near a school made sense in theory, "but there must be a limit."
"I believe the limit has well and truly arrived," Cr Jones said, noting traffic, child safety, parking and resident amenity concerns.
"Adding yet another facility will only further exacerbate the problems we have been experiencing and fighting against for a very long time."
Cr Jones said the proposal should not just be about meeting planning requirements, urging consideration of local issues and location appropriateness.
Cr Ben Lucas labelled traffic in Drouin "a nightmare" and approving an application because it would likely head to VCAT wasn't a good enough argument.
"I understand that it's supported by the planning scheme, but that doesn't always mean that it's right, doesn't mean that it's practical," Cr Lucas said.
He said he felt for the applicant as childcare was desperately needed, "but it's just not the right fit."
Cr Jess Hamilton said the area was dangerous at school times and parking issues needed to be considered.
"I just don't think that's the right spot for it," Cr Hamilton said.
Cr Goss said the west ward councillors had not offered "anything that made a lot of sense" and a councillor's job was to assess the application against the planning scheme.
Although admitting "I wouldn't want it in my street either", Cr Goss told councillors he wasn't willing to risk "a serious cost to ratepayers to defend your decision."
"Traffic is horrendous in that area and the state government has absolutely made a mess of Drouin Primary School. There's not a school in Baw Baw Shire that there's not traffic chaos."
"Childcare is needed, it's critical for our growing community," he said. "This meets every single requirement that's put in front of it."
However, Cr Jones argued Cr Goss' view was flawed and the application failed to comply with two clauses of the planning scheme.
Cr Adam Sheehan said any decision had to be made for the benefit of the broader community.
He acknowledged those living adjacent would be impacted but his decision would be based on "weight of numbers."
Cr Kate Wilson said managing school traffic was a separate matter.
"We have heard your concerns loud and clear, and share them," Cr Wilson said. "I feel like we've got two really separate matters here that can't be decided as one."
"If traffic were correctly managed, this would be a really good thing," she added.
Cr Jones called for a division. Supporting a notice of decision to grant a planning permit were Crs Goss, Wilson, Sheehan, Suzanne Allen and Paul Pratt. Voting against were Crs Jones, Kingwill, Lucas and Hamilton.