Childcare scare

By Shaun Inguanzo
A CONTENTIOUS decision to reject plans for two childcare centres in Noble Park will leave single parents facing financial and social problems next year
Youth and family support service Connections said the problems will come as demand for services across the city is set to increase.
Connections this week said it was concerned about Greater Dandenong Council’s decision to reject up to 125 childcare spots across two proposed centres in Noble Park.
Councillors were divided by one application on Harold Road which was rejected after residents voiced their concern about increased traffic that could pose a safety risk as a result of the proposed 65-capacity childcare centre.
Councillors then voted to undertake a traffic-management process in Harold Road to alleviate safety concerns.
The Star reported in November that a Harold Road house had been hit seven times by out-of-control cars, after the council first deferred the application to this month.
Another proposal on Heatherton Road was rejected unanimously because of planning matters in relation to its location on a busy road.
But Connections CEO Doug Dalton said demand for childcare would increase after the Federal Government introduced its new Welfare to Work legislation early next year.
He said the legislation would push single parents and people with disabilities to the workforce and off benefits which currently enable them to stay home and care for their children.
Mr Dalton said he was hopeful the council would eventually establish the Harold Road childcare centre after traffic congestion issues were resolved.
It was important the council persisted with building the centre, he said, as demand for childcare was already high and is expected to increase in Greater Dandenong with the new legislation.
“Council’s decision to respond to residents’ concerns by putting in place traffic-management arrangements is a very positive move by council, and it should enable, I would hope, the childcare centre to proceed,” he said.
Cleeland Ward councillor Paul Donovan defended the Harold Road application and said he was disappointed with the decision to reject it.
City of Greater Dandenong’s development services director Mal Baker said the applications were rejected for different reasons.