Darlington ECEC recommendation knocked back by Mundaring councillors 

An application for an 80 place early childhood education and care (ECEC) service in the West Australian community of Darlington has been rejected by Mundaring Council at a recent meeting, leaving the future of the development in the hands of the Development Assessment Panel (DAP). 

The development was unanimously rejected by councillors despite a shire officer’s recommendation to approve it, local news source Echo Newspaper reported recently. 

Darlington residents were in attendance, filling the public gallery and making regular interjections in opposition to the proposed development at 1 Amherst Avenue. The development has long been a point of contention for the community, with Mundaring councillors resolving at a 10 December 2024 meeting to request an extension of time from the DAP for the application relating to the development to consider at a later meeting.

The development proposal was lodged by Briscola Pty Ltd and triggered a public consultation period late last year, prompting 59 submissions from residents raising concerns about traffic, amenity, bushfire evacuation and noise.

Speaking on the most recent outcome Darlington Residents and Ratepayers Association (DRRA) chairperson Louise Stelfox said the decision was “a win for Darlington and the hills community.” 

“It demonstrates people power and that large commercial development doesn’t belong in congested, residential areas,” she continued.

“It also demonstrates the importance of councillors who are diligent in thoroughly appraising development applications, reading public submissions and listening to the community.”

The proposal is yet to be considered by the Outer Metropolitan DAP, but Ms Stelfox said she hoped the proponent would reconsider.

“DRRA would like to help them find an alternative location,” she said. “We’re not anti-development (and) we’re not anti-childcare. We just want to make sure the shire does its job (and) childcare is provided in a sustainable way.”

Read the original coverage of this story here.