JDAP approves LDC service south of Perth despite Cockburn councillor objections

A joint development assessment panel (JDAP) has approved plans for a $2 million long day care (LDC) service in Perth’s south, despite the application having been previously rejected by Cockburn councillors.

The main objection to the application, which concerns premises to be developed at 39 and 41 Lakefront Avenue, Beeliar, centred around parking concerns, with fears that the two connected buildings, each two stories, would cause parking problems in the area, given the plans had no provision for onsite parking for staff or families, directing them instead to use nearby overflow parking.

With capacity for 11 staff and 67 children, 18 parking bays should be made available onsite to meet statutory parking requirements.

Residents lodged 49 objections to the original development application, with concerns about traffic and congestion intersecting with parking fears. In June 2020, City of Cockburn councillors rejected the development application citing parking concerns, despite the City’s officers recommending its approval and arguing it would not cause problems.

Plans for the service show the two connected buildings, indoor and outdoor play areas, a greenhouse, nappy changing spaces, a cubby house, and infant care spaces such as a cot room and nappy change area. 

According to the JDAP report, the shortfall of parking at the nearby premises “should not be reason to automatically refuse the development unless it could be demonstrated it would detrimentally contribute towards parking and traffic congestion issues.”

To access the original coverage of this story, as produced by Perth Now, please see here.