Two houses on the corner of Rochester Drive and Marmion Avenue in Mindarie are being demolished to make way for a daycare center for 85 children.
Despite strong opposition during community consultations, the $2.1 million single-story development, which will operate Monday through Friday from 6:30 am to 6:30 pm, was unanimously approved by the Metro Outer Joint Development Assessment Panel, recording to the meeting report, the city of Wanneroo received 205 submissions, of which 168 objected to the proposal. Three objections with a total of 171 signatures were also obtained.
The main areas of concern included noise and traffic congestion, vehicle and pedestrian safety, insufficient on-site parking, the proposal being incompatible with the existing residential area, and too many nurseries.
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However, during the meeting, all panelists acknowledged that the proposal was appropriate for the site and that there would be preconditions to address any issues.
Camera icon An artist’s impression of the intended children’s center on the corner of Rochester Drive and Marmion Avenue in Mindarie. Credit: Macri Builders
These include the outdoor playground, which can no,t be used before 7 am, and vans t,h, at are onltween 7 am and 7 pm on weekdays.
A revised environmental noise assessment should also demonstrate how the center will comply with regulations, with written certification to confirm that the recommended measures have been included.
Also required are revised plans with a minimum of 8 percent soft planting and an additional tree, and the signage to be relocated, limited to 1.8m high, and integrated into the letterbox design so as not to obstruct sight lines.
Camera icon An artist’s impression of the intended children’s center on the corner of Rochester Drive and Marmion Avenue in Mindarie. Credit: Macri Builders
Panelist Sheryl Chaffer also asked for an additional condition to extend the pedestrian path east to connect with the existing trail on Marmion Avenue, which was also unanimously approved.
Ms. Chaffer said that while the concerns raised during the community consultation were “typical issues” raised at residential childcare centers, they had been addressed appropriately, and it was a “straightforward” proposal.
She said the traffic impact statement showed that the increase would be “very minor” compared to the capacity of the roads and that the intersection could “function quite adequately”.
She also said noise issues were addressed in the building’s design and construction and by the terms and recommendations in the operating plans, which were “quite acceptable.”
Camera icon An artist’s impression of the intended children’s center on the corner of Rochester Drive and Marmion Avenue in Mindarie. Credit: Macri Builders
Wanneroo councilor Frank Cvitan said that while he had heard objections from the community, he believed the “layout is quite compatible” and would meet the needs of the “many kids and busy parents in the area”.
He also said some traffic problems had been “fixed” with the city’s recommendation to allow only motorists to exit to the left of the development.
Panel chair Ian Birch reiterated that childcare is a “necessary practice in today’s world,” and many operate in residential areas.
“Centres have evolved, and there are now controls in place to offset the impact on residents,” he said.
