A CONTENTIOUS plan to build a three-storey childcare centre has been rejected by Kingston councillors.
The childcare centre was proposed for 93 – 95 Centre Dandenong Road in Cheltenham catering for a maximum of 81 children. Kingston Council officers recommended that councillors approve the project, but it was ultimately voted down.
Cr Georgia Erevnidis moved an alternate proposal to reject the childcare centre plans. She was supported by Crs Georgina Oxley, Jane Agirtan, Sarah O’Donnell, and Caroline White.
Cr Oxley said that the proposed childcare centre “is not suitable in this location.”
“This is a neighbourhood residential zone, and this is quite a high density, high impact use in this area. It is removing a number of trees, and it is going to have a high amenity impact if it was to be supported, which I don’t believe is warranted,” the mayor said. “While we can’t dispute the fact that more childcare locally is certainly needed and would certainly be warranted, this is not the location for it.”
Kiran Thorat spoke on behalf of the objectors at Kingston Council’s public meeting last week just before the decision was handed down. “A proposed childcare center in Cheltenham threatens to turn a quiet residential cul-de-sac into a daily traffic nightmare. The development would add 320 car movements per day to Avalon Court—a narrow street that already struggles with congestion during peak hours due to an existing primary school,” Thorat said.
“This isn’t just about traffic inconvenience. Parents from the Avalon Court fear they won’t be able to get their own children to school on time. There are serious safety concerns about young children crossing an active childcare driveway with queued cars. The knock-on effect of one poorly placed development could make an entire street unlivable.”
The report prepared for Kingston councillors recommending the approval of the project read “the proposal will not cause unreasonable material detriment to adjoining properties and will provide for increased visual interest in the building appropriate in a residential, main arterial road, context. On balance, the proposal is considered to substantially comply with the relevant planning policy and therefore should be supported, subject to the inclusion of suitable conditions.”
“It is considered that the objectors’ concerns have been addressed, where appropriate, and, subject to the inclusion of appropriate conditions discussed is this report, the proposed use and development of the land for a child care centre, and associated display of internally illuminated business identification signage, is considered appropriate to the site and its location in the neighbourhood residential zone,” council officers wrote.
Cr Hadi Saab voted against the alternate motion to reject the childcare proposal. Crs Kirralee Ashworth-Collett and Chris Hill abstained, and Crs Chris Howe, Tony Athanasopoulos, and Tess Law were absent. Kingston Council’s website states that Cr Law is on leave until 3 February.
First published in the Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News – 3 December 2025