State planners approve $2.5 million ECEC build on dilapidated site in Noranda

West Australian State planners have approved a $2.5 million early childhood education and care (ECEC) service for a dilapidated site in Noranda, which City of Bayswater mayor Filomena Piffaretti has labelled a “complete eyesore”.

 

The plans, put forward by landowner Jarpel Pty Ltd, were unanimously approved by the Metro-Inner North Joint Development Assessment panel, outlining a proposal to build a Great Beginnings service for 100 children and 15 staff.

 

The site was previously occupied by Noranda Hills Nursery and has remained unused since the permanent closure of the nursery. The site is currently empty, bar some retaining walls at its southern end. 

 

The Mayor said the plans represent an improvement on what the site is currently, with the community “screaming” for it to be redeveloped. 

 

The city’s design review panel recommended State planners refuse the plans as it didn’t support the design and believed it would result in a “detrimental outcome of the streetscape and surrounding area”.

 

Specifically, a city report cited the building itself, as well as the loss of trees to the rear of the site, as making “no contribution to the streetscape or adjoining properties.”

 

“The level difference and significant setback means that pedestrians will not be able to clearly see the building from the western side of Camboon Road directly in front of the site. The design of the building itself could have incorporated greater references to the locality in terms of materiality to enhance the integration of the building within the locality,” the report continued.

 

Despite the recommendations, State planners approved the development, with panel member John Syme describing the proposed service as “reasonably attractive.”

 

Andrew Cumming, a senior town planner for Rowe Group, represented the landowner, saying the service would improve the current mixed amenity of the street. 

 

The single-storey child care centre will be towards the back of the site, with the carpark between the building and Camboon Road. It will operate Mondays to Fridays between 7am and 6.30pm, with staff starting at 6.30am and the play areas open until 6pm.

 

The front of the site will house 35 car parking bays accessible from Camboon Road, as well as landscaping and 17 new trees.

 

Residential properties lie to the west of the site, while Noranda Uniting Church and Juniper Ella Williams Residential Aged Care are to the south. 

 

To read local coverage of this story please see here.