THE NEW Darlington childcare remains planned to be built near Darlington Primary School despite community members speaking to the applicant’s representative and opposing the proposed location.

Darlington residents and ratepayers’ association (DRRA) met with the applicant’s representative for the childcare on Thursday last week to raise concerns but felt the outcome remained unchanged.

The Darlington community were concerned about the childcare going over the council and directly to the development assessment panel (DAP), as reported in New Darlington childcare proposal bypasses council.

DRRA chair Louise Stelfox said the meeting was attended by one representative from Briscola Pty Ltd, and the main concerns raised were about bushfire risk and impact to minors.

“The worry is that the childcare is being developed so close to the primary school and it’s in a cul de sac location,” she 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 or is it more likely they’ll all try to access the same road to evacuate their children?”

DRRA member Pip Windsor was at the meeting as well 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.

“We’re not holding up too much hope, but we just hope that the community who are going to be affected by this development will be listened to.

“We’re just concerned that state planning is going to override that.”

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.

“At the conclusion of the advertising period shire officers shall collate all of the submissions, and an outline of the concerns received will be provided to the applicant to give them the opportunity to address or respond to,” he said.

“The applicant has not indicated whether they would consider relocating the proposed childcare premises.”

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

“The matter may be presented to council for their comment prior to the report being presented to the development assessment panel.

“While this is not current practice, council will be considering a change of its normal process at the upcoming December meeting of full council.”

Ms Stelfox said DRRA lobbied South Ward councillors to represent them and have been advised a motion will be raised at council for all DAPs to be considered.

“The message we were given by the applicant was that this was for the community,” she said.

“The Darlington residents have said we want childcares, but the community is distressed it’s in the wrong location,” she said.

“There’s a major bushfire risk.

“Despite us saying this, the applicant reinforced that they think it’s the right location and that they’re doing this for the community.

“It’s a commercial activity, and it’s totally the opposite of what the residents currently want.”