The Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage has issued a draft position statement to guide the development of childcare premises so they meet the community’s changing needs better.
The Department said childcare was an essential community service, and with the rising demand in both metropolitan and regional areas it was important to ensure that the development of childcare premises occurred in appropriate locations.
“The draft Position Statement: Child Care Premises will update the existing Planning Bulletin 72 (2009) and will provide guidance to key planning decision-makers when preparing local scheme provisions and planning policies for childcare centres,” the Department said.
“The draft addresses a number of important planning considerations, including location, site characteristics, environmental suitability, design, traffic and vehicle access and noise emissions,” it said.
Also taken into account were amenity and health and safety impacts.
Minister for Planning, Rita Saffioti said the draft proposed that childcare premises could be co-located on Government reserves, such as hospitals, as well as within mixed commercial zones, such as shopping centres, or on office or commercial zoned land.
“This allows for flexible hours of operation, catering to the increasing number of families who have irregular or out-of-ordinary work hours,” Ms Saffioti said.
The draft position statement is now subject to a consultation process which closes on 10 February 2023.
Readers interested in joining the consultation can find details at this PS News link.
