APPROVAL has finally been given for a 42-place childcare centre to be constructed in Eglinton.
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The development application for the childcare centre, to be built at 23 Park Street, was considered by Bathurst Regional Council at a meeting on December 12, but a decision was deferred.
Another report, recommending consent, was provided to Wednesday's council meeting along with additional information addressing concerns raised in December.
Although the DA was ultimately approved, councillor Monica Morse was one of two councillors against the proposed development.
"I realise that it is now more important for families to have good quality childcare, and I stress that 'good quality' is very important," she said.
"We as council have to fit in with a document which is called the Childcare Planning Guidelines, which is delivering quality childcare for NSW, but I have my serious doubts about whether this particularly facility will deliver quality childcare."
Cr Morse said that the guidelines say a childcare facility should fit in with the existing streetscape, but she said the proposed facility was "unlike most of the childcare centres in Bathurst" given its location in a residential area and beside a shop.
She was also concerned about the height of the rear boundary fence, to be 2.4 metres, and the environment children would have in the outdoor area given the proposed noise control measures.
"I think the whole siting of that childcare centre, in the middle of a residential area, is wrong and I don't think it is going to provide quality childcare," she said.
Cr Morse was supported in her comments about the location by deputy mayor Bobby Bourke, however claims that the facility would not provide "quality childcare" were later dismissed by Cr Ian North.
"I don't know how we can talk about a building and a business, about the quality of the service they're going to give. I find that a little bit abhorrent," he said.
"They have got guidelines, they will follow guidelines."
He also reminded councillors that another childcare facility was located just around the corner from the proposed site.
Cr Jess Jennings said council had approved "much more audacious childcare centres" in residential area before and this development shouldn't be dismissed given its key benefits.
"This one is right smack bang in the middle of a residential area and it's walking distance for a lot of people," he said. "Eglinton is the fastest growing suburb in Bathurst and Bathurst is a growing town, so when you put those two together we're going to need childcare."