Spotted Dog Hotel to be reimagined as ECEC: submission to Bundaberg Council

Aug 22, 2023

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Bundaberg Regional Council has received an application to redevelop a previous pub – the former Spotted Dog Hotel – into a 90-place early childhood education and care (ECEC) service.

In July 2020, the former pub burnt down, and the site has remained vacant since that time.

A dual-access driveway is proposed to run through the site, between 217 Bourbong St and Post Office Lane. Town Planning Alliance lodged the Material Change of Use application on behalf of OneFin Property Pty Ltd on 1 August which stated that the proposal was a “contextually appropriate infill type development”.

The report cites a need for additional ECEC services in the area, which has a growing population, noting also that the site is ideally located in proximity to schools and public transport.

Existing structures on the site would need to be removed to accommodate the service, which would, if built as planned, offer two spaces for children from birth to two years of age, two rooms for children two to three years of age, and another two rooms for children from three years of age to school age.

Specific design elements have been incorporated to ensure the proposed development fits within the area’s heritage and neighbourhood character overlay.

“The overlay designation is consistent with the site’s prominent position within the CBD and the previous character building (Federal Backpackers and Spotted Dog Hotel) that occupied the site,” the submission notes.

“As such, the proposed development has been designed to reflect the previous character building which improved the site and in conjunction with surrounding commercial land uses.”

Access the application here. Local media coverage is available here.

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