After “a lot of friction” related to childcare centres in residential areas, Goulburn Council is looking at a new approach. Photo: Thomas Lucraft.
New childcare centres might need to prove their development is a good fit for the street under a new approach from a Southern Tablelands council.
During a recent meeting, Goulburn Mulwaree Council voted to push ahead with changing major planning documents for childcare centres.
It would mean developers would need to consider how their development applications (DAs) match the amenity and character of the area.
Councillor Michael Prevedello noted the proposal came after controversy over the issue.
“These childcare centres have got to go somewhere. … Plonking them in the middle of a residential area that is long-standing is going to create a little bit of friction. In fact, a lot of friction.”
The meeting documents state that it would see the Goulburn Mulwaree Local Environmental Plan amended to add character and amenity considerations to R1 and R2 zones.
A new provision blocking ‘centre-based childcare facilities’ from RU1, RU2, RU6 and C3 zones also forms part of the proposal.
A staff member told councillors the proposed provisions were about ensuring “the look and the feel” of an area and the DA were consistent.
He also said it was hoped they would “beef up” the tools available to the council in evaluating DAs.
“[This could mean] shoring up some development controls that mean (in areas where we can’t preclude childcare centres) … we’ve at least got something else to fall back on that we haven’t necessarily had in the past.
“That’s been shown up at a number of the LEC [Land and Environment Court] appeals over the past 12 to 18 months.”
The meeting heard that any changes wouldn’t affect DAs already lodged or that had been approved.
During the discussion, councillor Caitlin Flint raised her view that Goulburn was being viewed as a “breeding ground” for these developments.
“This motion is hugely welcome, and I really thank the staff for looking at ways that we can regulate these out-of-town developers from monopolising on inappropriate residential blocks in established areas for commercial gain or land banking after igniting a wave of fear within the community over what may be, if it were to transpire.”
Councillors were told any changes to planning regulations would only affect future DAs. Photo: James Coleman.
Meeting documents state 13 development applications (DAs) for centre-based childcare facilities have been lodged with the council since 2021 within R1 or R2 residential zones.
Cr Flint also said that while more childcare spaces were needed, it shouldn’t be the sole element considered by developers.
“At the risk of being called a NIMBY yet again, I applaud this motion because the proposed changes acknowledge the fact that NIMBYs have rights too. … If people want to join our community, they must play by the planning rules, and this is an excellent step in the right direction.”
Cr Christopher O’Mahony welcomed the proposed changes, but asked staff how GMC was tracking, compared to other parts of the state.
The staff member described this style of approach towards planning concerns as being an “emerging” trend.
“There’s not a lot to go on in terms of borrowing from other councils as yet, but I would suspect that over the next 12 to 18 months, we’ll probably see a lot more councils sort of following a similar pathway to us.
“I’d like to think that this is the start of a good process, and a worthwhile process. We can only see where it takes us.”
During the discussion, councillor Bob Kirk called for councillors to consider where the centres were being located.
“Our controls can’t determine where private enterprise might see an opportunity to put such a development in an R1 or an R2 zone … They do now have to address the additional amenity and character considerations [under the proposal].
“That’s good, it gives us another level … It may or may not address clustering.”
The successful motion means a report on the proposed changes will be placed on public exhibition, with councillors to receive a report later this year with feedback.
