Update July 25
Tradies has made a last-minute amendment to plans ahead of a crucial meeting, to be held on Tuesday night, on its proposed 143-place childcare centre.
Sutherland Shire Council’s Independent Hearing and Assessment Panel (IHAP) is meeting at 6pm to consider the development application (DA).
An addendum published on the IHAP website said the applicant [a planning consultant representing Tradies] had stated in a response it was aware the floor space ratio (FSR) had been assessed at 0.9:1, which was above the permissable 0.7:1.
“We understand this is a technical non compliance due to some of the outdoor play area having walls / screens of 1.4 metres in height which, by definition, are included in GFA (gross floor area),” the applicant said.
“As discussed, it was always the intention of the club to ensure the screens were below the level at which they became calculable GFA.
“Accordingly, we would like to formally amend our proposal showing these walls/screens at 1.39m.
The applicant said, as a result of the change, the application would comply with the FSR requirement.
“The provision of acoustic screens that are less than 1.4 metres in height remove the need to include the play areas as floor space,” the applicant said.
Earlier story
A crucial meeting will take place next week on Tradies’ proposed 143-place childcare centre at Gymea.
Sutherland Shire Council’s Independent Hearing and Assessment Panel (IHAP) is due to consider the development application (DA) on Tuesday, July 25.
The panel’s recommendation will then go to a council meeting for a final decision.
Labor councillors have said they will not vote on the matter because they have received election campaign support from the Sutherland District Trade Union Club (Tradies).
A group of residents has written to the club’s board in a final attempt to have the proposal reconsidered.
The letter included suggested alternative uses for the site, which the residents said would offer a much greater benefit to the community.
Possible uses could include a children’s playground, a respite centre for parents of special needs children and a purpose built centre for young MS sufferers.
The letter listed residents’ concerns, including “the proposed scale of the building is vastly out of proportion to the neighbourhood” and it would have “a detrimental effect on its most immediate neighbours, with regards to noise, light and shadow”.
“The increased traffic flow around these streets will also have a negative impact on neighbouring streets, particularly Marion Street,” the letter said.
“Another concern is that this area is already well serviced by childcare centres, all with vacancies.”
The residents called on the club to “compromise with your neighbours”, and use “a real opportunity to create a lasting legacy of good will by acting with generosity, empathy and appreciation towards the local community who have supported it for so many years”.
Tradies chief executive Tim McAleer said at the time the DA was submitted the project was greatly needed in the area and fitted the club’s mission of serving the community.
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 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.”
