Ascolta ELC to go ahead despite Stirling Council recommending refusal

Plans to demolish two residential buildings in Woodlands, a suburb of Perth, and replace them with a 106-place early childhood education and care (ECEC) service have been approved, despite the objections made by Stirling Council. 

The $2.4 million Ascolta Early Learning and Care centre will now be built on the site previously occupied by 19 and 21 Liege Street, after a tumultuous period of approval and rescindment by the City of Stirling. 

Council officers initially gave their approval for the development, stating that it met or exceeded all requirements and was compatible with the existing development and future context of the area. However the Council then voted 9 to 3 to recommend refusal instead, on the grounds that the proposal would have “a significant detrimental impact on traffic flow and safety on the local streets surrounding the site” and there were four other childcare centres within 1km, including one on Liege Street.

The backflip came following a period of community consultation which attracted 101 submissions, all of which opposed the development, accompanied by two petitions. 

Councillor Elizabeth Re was endorsed to speak on behalf of the City of Stirling, and said the main concerns were traffic, road safety and parking, matters raised at both the council andMetro Inner-North Joint Development Assessment Panel meetings.

To access local coverage of this story, please see here.