Tradies Club is moving in new directions, lodging plans for a large childcare centre and an affordable housing development adjoining its Gymea premises.
The club submitted a development application (DA) late last year to build and operate a 143-place childcare centre on a double block along Manchester Road between the Kingsway and Marion Street.
A separate DA was lodged late in December for a two-storey housing development in Lancashire Place, which would provide 23 units for rental by low income workers.
Tradies chief executive Tim McAleer said the projects were greatly needed in the area and fitted the club’s mission of serving the community.
However, the childcare centre proposal angered nearby residents, who were concerned about increased traffic in narrow Marion Street, as well as noise from the facility which could operate until 10pm.
They believed submitting the plans close to Christmas was a deliberate tactic to minimise objections.
Residents were heartened by the council, at its final meeting last year, rejecting plans for a similar size childcare centre in View Street, Miranda, following strong community protests.
The proposed Gymea centre would have two levels plus a rooftop play area, with vehicles entering from Marion Street and exiting on Manchester Road.
Mr McAleer said the club had a strategic plan for investing members’ funds.
“Fundamentally, anything we do has to be in line with our purpose of serving the community,” he said.
“We could have built a row of town houses, instead of a childcare centre, and made more money.
“But, we are a trade union club and our mission is service to the community.”
Mr McAleer said the land for both projects had been acquired over 10 years.
John and Joanne Hunter, who live in Marion Street opposite the entrance to the proposed childcare centre, said many residents were angry.
“Our biggest concern is that Marion Street is so narrow and, with cars parked on both sides, only one car can fit down it a time,” Ms Hunter said.
“Over the last three years there have been five accidents in our street, near the corner of Manchester Road, with people slamming into parked cars.
“Having another 100 cars coming and going in the street each day is just not going to work.”
Ms Hunter said residents were also concerned about noise associated with the centre, with children being dropped off and picked up from 6am to 10pm.”
The council notified residents of the DA in a letter dated December 8, with objections due to be lodged by January 3.
Residents were seeking an extension because of the holiday period.
Mr McAleer said there was a great need in the shire for more childcare centre places and affordable housing for workers, including police, firefighters, paramedics and nurses.
“There are something like 3000 new units being built from Sutherland and Kirrawee to Miranda,” he said.
“The main reason we have applied to operate the childcare centre until 10pm is to meet the needs of emergency service workers.
“We will be spending about $7 million building it.
“It won’t be free, but it will have affordable rates.”
