Zoe Moffatt
Macedon Ranges residents have voiced their objection to a Gisborne childcare development, citing concerns around traffic, noise and heritage.
The development seeks to partially demolish and develop the land at 41 Hamilton Street, Gisborne, for a childcare centre and remove nine car parks.
At a council meeting on August 9, one resident spoke out against the development and said it will affect the amenity and liveability of Prince Street for its residents.
“My husband and I [are] … longtime residents of Gisborne … and agree that a childcare centre is the right idea for the community but … the proposed site is the wrong location,” the resident said.
“We strongly object to residential streets being touted as the solution to the lack of onsite parking at the centre, which we believe indicates the site is overdeveloped.”
The resident said they did not think the car park survey was reliable due to the limited timeframe it was conducted in.
“[The survey] was done on a Thursday during the day for a one day period that was in the post covid lifting of restrictions.
“The survey showed that the maximum number of cars parked on Prince Street on that day was four cars.
“We’ve lived here since 1994 and we don’t remember a day when there’s only been four cars parked in Prince Street.”
Submitter Robert Williams spoke on behalf of the applicant and rejected this claim about the survey’s reliability.
“The survey was done on the 28th of April … back in 2022, that was during the school term … [the traffic consultants] would not be relying on data they don’t believe is appropriate,” Mr Williams said.
“In terms of traffic management, one vehicle movement every three minutes is expected during peak times [which] is a very low amount in traffic engineering terms.
“The location of the centre is appropriate being on a main road within the town centre which is accessible by foot, bicycle and vehicle.”
The application will be presented to council for consideration and determination at the next Planning Delegated Committee Meeting on September 13.
