Childcare centre goahead

By Paul Dunlop
THE state planning umpire has thrown out opposition to plans to build the biggest childcare centre yet seen in Cardinia Shire.
In a finding handed down last week, the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal overturned Cardinia council’s rejection of a 150berth childcare centre on the corner of Ryan Road and Princes Highway, Pakenham.
Tribunal member Nicholas Hadjigeorgiou set aside the council’s decision and upheld an appeal by the applicants, the Verschaeren family.
The council had voted six to one in April to refuse the application for the centre.
Councillors at that time praised the concept but said the location was inappropriate. More than 70 people have objected to the proposal.
Mr Hadjigeorgiou said he considered the site was appropriate. Plans for the centre were modified but Mr Hadjigeorgiou believed the proposal was suitable for the area.
The centre is expected to include a swimming pool, tennis facilities and even an animal farm with pony rides.
When the proposal first went to the council, one of the applicants, Sharon Verschaeren, said the childcare centre, modelled on an existing operation in Officer, would be on a par with the best facilities of its kind.