Community oppose Bomaderry ECEC development concerned about access

Community members in the New South Wales community of Bomaderry have expressed mixed opinions about a proposed mixed use development which would include early childhood education and care (ECEC). 

 

Plans have been submitted outlining a proposal to turn an old squash court and gym into an ECEC service and medical offices, with the early learning facility able to cater for 124 children, with two nurseries and four rooms for toddlers, as well as catering for 20 staff members.

 

While some community members have welcomed the proposal, saying it would reduce waiting lists for ECEC in the area, others have expressed concerns about traffic and the impact of livability for surrounding residents. 

 

The $1.4m plans were initially submitted to Shoalhaven Council in 2023 by the Cyclo Group, which are known for designing and developing ECEC services, with the plans showing the existing health and leisure facility, at 1 Narang Rd, being repurposed into a mixed use facility with ECEC on the ground floor and the medical offices on top.

 

Kerrin Nuthall, Cyclo Group’s business development manager, said the facility would bring ‘much needed’ ECEC provision to the town, and would be located in “the perfect spot” for busy parents, being close to both residential properties and the highway. 

 

Repurposing the existing facility, he continued, was a cost effective way to make this happen, given that no extra construction would be needed. 

 

Despite Mr Nutall’s enthusiasm for the project, it is still no closer to realistation more than a year on, with Bomaderry apartment building owner Mohamed Sabra, whose unit block sits just south of the proposed location, saying the new facilities would cause “major” traffic issues.

 

Mr Sabra believes the proposed car parking for the facility would create right of way issues for residents of his building, and for surrounding businesses, which include a busy Aldi grocery store. 

 

“We have 40 townhouses being built and have only one entrance and exit towards the front of the property near the Princes Hwy,” he shared with The Daily Telegraph.

 

“We are opposing the car park and fence blocking our gate and also being built on the current right of way. This is a major concern.”

 

Despite concerns Mr Nutall said he was eager to get started on the construction as soon as possible.

 

“I think, given the cost, location and frankly, the whole idea, council shouldn’t have any problems with approving the DA,” he told The Daily Telegraph.