ECEC service development application bounces back to State Gov for approval

Mar 06, 2023

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A proposed early childhood education and care (ECEC) service in Grampian Drive, Deebing Heights Queensland has been sent to the State Government to review based on community concern about the history of the nearby former Aboriginal mission and burial grounds.

Speaking on the matter, Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding said the decision to seek further input reflected the sensitivities surrounding the proposed development in some sections of the community, and noting that the Council “was not satisfied it could make a decision to approve the application”.

“The application for a childcare centre to be built within the Ripley Valley Priority Development Area at Deebing Height is an incredibly sensitive matter,” the Mayor said.

“There are two Indigenous (sic.) groups who both have different accounts of the cultural history of this site, making it extremely difficult for the Council to navigate this complex issue.”

Prior to making the decision, the Council engaged with both groups to get a clearer understanding of all the potential views on the application, and to better understand the cultural heritage matters that exist in and around the development site.

The Council had also sought input from the Queensland Government in October 2022, seeking further information in relation to cultural heritage matters, with that information received in December 2022.

“We have undertaken further consultation with external parties including the Minister for Economic Development Queensland (EDQ) and the Minister for Police and Corrective Services,” the Mayor said.

“However, Council is not yet satisfied it could make a decision to approve the proposed application because of ongoing community concerns about the cultural heritage and origin of the bone fragments found at the site.”

The Council has committed to working with the State to work through the various aspects of the applications and the associated culture heritage matters.

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