A new Maddingley childcare centre will help cut waiting lists, but not everyone is happy.
Councillors last week approved a planning permit for the 100-place facility after residents protested its Labilliere Street location.
“The traffic is going to be chaotic,” said Melissa Hehir, who lives 300 metres from the site. “Our main concern is the location. It’s not appropriate and it’ll bring traffic and safety issues for drivers and pedestrians, especially in the morning.”
Ms Hehir told the council she collected 117 signatures objecting to the application in just under 48 hours.
Resident Pat O’Leary feared for the safety of children exiting vehicles on the busy road.
“Within 500 metres we have a hotel, a drive-through liquor store, service station, two secondary schools and a railway station,” he said. “It’s an accident waiting to happen.”
Maddingley resident Lincoln Powell said while he accepted something would eventually be built on the site, traffic was a major issue.
“At that intersection and with the growing nature of Bacchus Marsh, the roads are getting busier all the time. It takes 50 minutes to get up and down Grant Street.”
Cr Tonia Dudzik said while she understood residents’ concerns, more childcare centres were needed. “There is a shortage of childcare in Bacchus Marsh; there’s a big waiting list and at the moment there is none on that side of the freeway.”
Construction will start within two years and the centre will open within four years.
