An artist's impression of the proposed childcare centre.
Urgent Update: Residents of Mt Pleasant are rallying against a proposed $3.5 million childcare center that could disrupt their community. The City of Melville is currently reviewing plans for the center, which would be located at 34 and 36 St Michael Terrace and accommodate up to 113 children with 28 staff members.
The childcare center is set to operate from 6:30 AM to 6:30 PM, raising significant concerns among locals about increased traffic and safety hazards, particularly as it would be situated directly opposite Mt Pleasant Primary School, which already serves approximately 600 children.
Public submissions on the proposal closed on July 25, and the City’s report on the matter will be presented to the Joint Development Assessment Panel (DAP) on September 5. Residents voiced their concerns at a city council meeting on August 19, expressing fears that the center would exacerbate traffic congestion and disturb the peace of the neighborhood.
“There has been significant community uproar over the plans,” one resident stated, urging the council to support their objections. “The proposed daycare center will add a further 150 children and staff to the location, creating even more traffic congestion and safety hazards.”
Another speaker criticized the DAP for frequently overriding legitimate community concerns and called for stronger representation at the upcoming hearing. They emphasized the need for the City of Melville to go beyond its statutory role in addressing residents’ fears.
In response, Tony Free, the acting director of planning for the City of Melville, confirmed that community feedback would be integral to the decision-making process. “The city acknowledges the importance of community views being represented in the decision-making process,” he said. Free assured attendees that the number of submissions would be included in the city’s responsible authority report.
As the situation develops, residents remain on high alert, hoping their voices will be heard before the final decision is made. The next critical date to watch is September 5, when the DAP will review the proposal and make a determination that could significantly impact the Mt Pleasant community.
This evolving story underscores the tension between development and community needs, spotlighting the urgent call for local governance to prioritize resident concerns in planning discussions.
