STRAIN on Swan Hill’s childcare system will see some alleviation in coming weeks, with one centre soon to open and another permit application recently getting the green light.
An early learning centre on Butterworth Street was approved last week after a legal battle with neighbouring property owners that saw it go to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT).
Meanwhile, a Yana Street development that also faced a lengthy VCAT process is powering full-steam ahead, with plans to open its doors in June.
For Rob Johnson of Butterworth Street’s Little Swans Early Learning, the VCAT decision is a green light for plans to build the centre on the currently vacant lot.
“We still have a lot to do before we can open up… it is a substantial process,” he said.
“We are happy with the outcome… it has been a long time coming for us at this point.”
Objectors to the development argued it would cause detrimental impacts on the neighbourhood amenity and that stormwater infrastructure could not deal with added waterwater flows.
But member Chris Harty did not agree, finding these aspects would not be impacted, but implemented conditions that must be met in the design and construction of the centre.
“Permeable pavers in lieu of bitumen surfacing [must be used to] improve on-site retention of stormwater and visual appearance of the proposed off-street car park,” he said.
Meanwhile, Marg and Scott Hartshorn are nearly at the end of the road with their childcare development.
Renovations at the Yana Street site are expected to be completed in the next few weeks, with hopes to open in mid to late June.
“To be so close to opening, it is quite exciting, we can’t quite believe we have got there,” Ms Hartshorn said.
Ms Hartshorn said they had seen a high demand for places, with some children who had missed out on a kindergarten spot earlier this year also hoping to get in at the new centre.
“We probably have three to five new enquiries each day,” she said.
“I think we have definitely filled a void, I think the demand for childcare is only going to continue to grow.”
A total of 19 staff, both full-time and part-time have been employed, with official registrations yet to be confirmed.
For more on this story, go and grab yourself a copy of Friday’s Guardian (May 15).
