The plans have been lodged with Bega Council with an estimated cost for the development of $2.8 million. Image: Google Maps/Screenshot.
If the proposal is approved, a new childcare centre could be coming to a central Bega street.
Plans have been lodged with Bega Valley Shire Council for a new childcare centre on Gipps Street.
Documents lodged with the development application (DA) state the facility would feature 67 childcare spaces.
There would be up to 12 places for infants aged zero to two, 15 places for children aged two to three years and 40 places for kids aged between three and six.
The development has an estimated cost of $2,860,000.
If given the green light, the childcare facility would have four indoor playrooms, an outdoor play area, laundry and toilet facilities (including an accessible bathroom) and administration areas.
Kids would use the play areas on a staggered schedule to help manage noise, with the outdoor activities expected to include team games, free play, water or sand-based play and activities to improve their gross motor skills.
A 1.8 metre acoustic fence and landscaping would be installed to further limit noise.
Nine carparks are also put forward (including an accessible space), while access to the at-grade parking area would be through a new double-width vehicle crossover and driveway to the site’s north-east.
“The parking area within at-grade includes internal circulation areas and allows vehicles to enter and exit the parking area in a forward direction,” the documents state.
The documents state that the site is currently zoned MU1 – Mixed Use and is located in an existing mixed-use area in the town.
“The development seeks to utilise the land in accordance with the zoning and take advantage of its size and location within an established mixed-use area, in proximity to a local school, commercial area and public transportation,” the documents state.
“The development also aims to provide a modern single-storey building set within a landscape setting that not only addresses its frontage but will play a positive role in increasing valuable child care places within Bega.”
The documents note security measures will include child-proof gates and fences, as well as CCTV.
While there are heritage sites located nearby, the DA documents state the site is not heritage listed nor in a Heritage Conservation Area. Photo: Claire Fenwicke.
An arborist report states that 14 trees were assessed in December 2025 and proposes that six trees be kept.
The remaining trees would be removed (because they are on the development’s footprint).
One of those trees was described as having “a major encroachment” of about 20 per cent over the development site.
For the proposal to go ahead, an existing single-storey dwelling and associated structures on the site would also need to be demolished.
According to a plan of management included in the DA, the centre would operate between 7 am and 6 pm, in addition to a 30-minute “shoulder period” in the morning and afternoon.
“[That means] staff will arrive from 6:30 am for set-up and then leave by 6:30 pm [to accommodate the] pack down.”
A contamination report states no sign of contamination (including asbestos) was found during an inspection, but the possibility of hazardous building materials in the existing structures was flagged.
The creation of a policy to deal with these risks during demolition works and another inspection to check for cross-contamination was recommended, should the DA be approved.
The DA, which has the application number 329/2025, is under consideration by the council.
