Council bans future ECEC sites in special residential zones

A ‘farm-style’ childcare centre, to be built in Banksia Grove, has continued to create controversy in the Waneroo local area, prompting Perth’s City of Wanneroo to investigate changing District Planning Scheme 2.

The centre, proposed by Atlantis Group, had it’s revised plans approved by Council in May, despite objections from local residents who were concerned that the centre would “affect amenity” in the area.

The initial application by the Group, submitted in October 2018, was rejected by Council before moving to the State Administrative Tribunal (SAT) for further consideration. After scaling back the proposal, Atlantis resubmitted an application which catered for 92 children, down from the original 120. 

A council report in relation to the matter, cited by local news source The Wanneroo Times noted the “cumulative impact of multiple non-residential uses in close proximity within a special residential zone will likely detract from the intended low density residential character”.

As well as outlawing future childcare centres, the Council supported changes to District Planning Scheme 2 would mean that consulting rooms and catteries would move from their current classification (discretionary) to ‘not permitted’. 

The proposed changes will go out for public consultation following approval from the WA Planning Commission and Environmental Protection Authority, The Times said. 

At the council briefing session, planning and sustainability director Mark Dickson reportedly said the change would not affect Atlantis Group’s ability to build its approved childcare centre.

Mr Dickson said, once approved by the planning minister, it would prevent approval of any future proposals and could not be overridden by a development assessment panel or SAT.

To read the full coverage of this story as produced by The Wanneroo Times, please see here.