Community expresses concern about location of new long day care setting 

Residents in the West Australian community of Darlington have expressed concern about the location of a new early childhood service, with the main issue being the bushfire risk posed by the location of the service in a cul de sac location.

Planned to be built near Darlington Primary School, the Darlington residents and ratepayers’ association (DRRA) recently met with a representative from the developer to share their concerns, “but felt the outcome remained unchanged,” local news source ECHO News reported.

“The worry is that the childcare is being developed so close to the primary school and it’s in a cul de sac location,” DRRA chair Louise Stelfox said.

“The traffic flow in the area is a concern because the community really don’t want so many more cars. There are an estimated 434 vehicular movements per day at the moment. In the event of a fire, there are five roads egressing with the daycare and school clustered together.”

“Are the parents not going to collect their child?” she asked “or is it more likely they’ll all try to access the same road to evacuate their children?”

DRRA member Pip Windsor was also at the meeting and felt the residents and ratepayers’ questions weren’t answered by the representative.

“I think she was just there to represent and for us to be able to say what we feel and for her to take it back for consideration,” Ms Windsor said.

“It’s the fact that it’s gone, bypassing the shire and straight to state planning, which we felt was pretty strategic and it’s going in right before Christmas, which doesn’t give us much time to give our opinions.”

Ms Windsor said the association “isn’t holding up too much hope” but that she maintained optimism that they would be listened to. 

Speaking to ECHO News Shire of Mundaring chief executive officer Jason Whiteaker said the shire heard the communities’ concerns which mainly related to traffic and noise.

“The shire is in the process of advertising the proposed development application, which finishes at 4pm on December 10,” he said.

“Letters have been sent by the shire to landowners potentially affected by the proposal, as well as the DRRA, and the relevant state government departments and agencies. In addition to inviting public submission, shire planning staff are available to discuss this development.”

Mr Whiteaker said shire officers have not yet been in contact with the applicant specifically regarding the traffic and noise concerns they’ve received from residents.

Mr Whiteaker said the shire will be assessing community submissions and sending a report to the DAP for consideration.

To read the local coverage of this story in its entirety please see here.