Gillieston Heights will soon be home to a 40-place childcare centre after a development application was approved by Maitland Council on Tuesday night.
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The Saddlers Drive proposal will cater for children aged 0-5 and includes two indoor playrooms with a nappy change and bottle preparation area, associated amenities, cot room, kitchen, office, reception, staff room, laundry, storage rooms and an outdoor play area.
Five child care staff are expected to work at the centre, which will operate from 7am to 6pm Monday to Friday.
It will also include onsite parking for 10 vehicles, including an accessible car space.
The application, which will spread across two lots, was supported unanimously.
The proposal was initially lodged for a 69-place two-storey centre with 15 car spaces, but was later amended after ten submissions were lodged objecting to the proposal.
A further submission was made after the proposal was changed.
Concerns about both proposals included traffic, parking, noise and waste management considering the expected amount of nappies to be disposed of each day.
Maitland councillor Ben Whiting acknowledged the objections, but said the centre would be a much-needed asset in the community.
“I know there’s often concerns around childcare centres in terms of how they are busy places,” he said.
“It’s also important childcare centres are in areas like Gillieston Heights where so many people need their facilities.”
Another childcare centre on Saddlers Drive was also recently approved by council.