A PROPOSAL to build a childcare centre in Darlington was unanimously rejected by Mundaring councillors at Tuesday night’s meeting, despite a shire officer’s recommendation to approve the development.

Dozens of Darlington residents filled the public gallery and several made deputations opposing the proposed development at 1 Amherst Avenue, which proposed to build a childcare centre for 80 children.

At the December 10, 2024 ordinary council meeting, Mundaring councillors resolved to request an extension of time from the development assessment panel (DAP) for the application relating to the development to consider at a later meeting.

The DAP, which has the final say, granted an extension until midday on Wednesday, April 16.

Darlington Residents and Ratepayers Association (DRRA) chairperson Louise Stelfox said the officer report failed to address the cumulative impacts of the proposal.

“This is a win for Darlington and the hills community,” she said.

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

“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 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.

Despite this, shire officers recommended approval in their responsible authority report (RAR), stating that infrastructure services had no concerns that the proposal will result in any significant traffic issues.

Ms Stelfox said residents were incredulous at that assessment.

“There needs to be two entrances for bushfire evacuation and there was only one,” she said.

“Parents would be walking across the road with children going from daycare to school at the same time – that’s the peak traffic period. The application is for a large, commercial development in a residential area.

“The built form was going to be (about) five sea containers high.”

Councillors raised a number of objections during debate, including loss of amenity, traffic impacts, and non-compliance with the Western Australian Planning Commission’s childcare policy regarding vulnerable land uses.

The site, which sits in a bushfire prone area, was originally assessed by the proponent at bushfire attack level (BAL) 12.5, but later revised to BAL 29.

“Neighbouring homes have a BAL rating of 40,” Ms Stelfox said.

One resident asked how evacuation of 80 infants and children could be safely achieved if a bus was not available during an emergency.

Ms Stelfox said DRRA’s campaigning played a role in ensuring the application came before council in the first place.

“This application would not have come to council if it wasn’t for DRRA lobbying Mundaring Shire and councillors to bring DAP applications to council,” she said.

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.