State Administrative Tribunal overrules City of Bunbury to approve two-storey childcare centre on Beach Road

Contentious plans for a two-storey childcare centre on Beach Road have been given the green light after the City of Bunbury’s decision was overruled. The State Administrative Tribunal overturned council’s November 2022 decision to reject the development earlier this month, finding the plans “consistent” with the area’s planning policies and potential issues “satisfactorily addressed”. City of Bunbury councillors had rejected the plan amid concerns from nearby residents and businesses, ranging from a lack of parking and traffic safety to stripping away the heritage of the area. But SAT member Marie Connor ruled the development fits within the location’s mixed use residential zone and should be allowed to proceed. The childcare centre is planned to cater for up to 67 children and 11 staff operating weekdays from 6.30am to 6.30pm, and taking children from 7am. A 1920’s weatherboard cottage, outbuilding and gazebo have recently been demolished on the site to make way for the proposed development. Changes have been made to the development application since it was voted on by council and have been approved by SAT, including having the centre’s car park entry moved from Karri Street to Beach Road and a reduction in fence heights from 2.4m to 1.8m. A total of 19 car parking bays have been proposed, with outdoor play areas on the ground and the first floor of the building. The City of Bunbury received 49 objections from landowners when the development was first advertised, with four nearby residents providing submissions to SAT outlining their concerns.