A PERMIT has been granted to build a childcare centre on the corner of Humphries Road and Sybil Avenue in Frankston South despite nearly 200 objections from residents.
Frankston Council granted the permit for 253 Humphries Road at a meeting last week. 177 residents submitted objections to the proposal. Objections submitted to council mentioned negative impacts on local traffic network/movement, pedestrian safety, car parking limitations, inappropriate use within a residential area, the existence of child care centres within the local area, inconsistency with planning controls and neighbourhood character, vegetation removal, noise, the site’s location within a bushfire area, and property devaluation.
Among the objectors was resident Andrew Nicou – the 77-year-old said “there were 177 objections, a lot of people went to the trouble to write to the council due to environmental, traffic, and safety concerns, but the council didn’t take that into account at all.” “My main issue is, having lived in Hampton where we had a childcare centre opposite our home, the amount of traffic build-up that was creating issues for residents. If you parked outside your mirrors would be knocked off, parents get aggressive and start arguing, and I have seen accidents occur when cars come through and people get hurt,” he said. “Common sense says most parents will park on Sybil Avenue as it is a lot quieter. Right now everyone walks along the road, as we have no useable footpaths. So we have to walk on the road, pushing trolleys, walking dogs, and jogging. “I’m not against childcares and kinders, just at the correct locations. We are the ratepayers and you would think the council would look after us instead of big business.”
Frankston mayor Kris Bolam said “had council declined the planning permit, it would’ve had very poor grounds to successfully defend its decision at the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal.” “The matter has been extensively examined by council and the outcome is a reflection of the reality that as our population continues to grow, we need to provide childcare opportunities for our community,” he said.
At the meeting, Bolam told councillors that the decision “demonstrated to the public that [councillors] are able to separate what is popular from what’s right.” “I think you have made the right decision in terms of not exposing raterpayers to having them litigated at a VCAT hearing,” he said. “Residents do have third-party rights so the onus is now on them if that’s something they want to pursue. “This is the first real decision you’ve made as a new council where it’s probably something that, although it was the right decision to make, you’re going to go home and probably feel a little sore. But you’ll wake up tomorrow and life will go on.”
Objectors are considering making a VCAT appeal. They will engage a town planner first to assess the case. Councillor David Asker, who began his speech by saying “I wish I was at home watching the Mandalorian right now and not being here tonight”, said council had to “adjudicate with facts and not passion”. “It’s probably a good time to remind, especially the new councillors, that being a good councillor is not about how many likes you get on Facebook. It’s not about making friends, or certainly not about winning a beauty contest. It’s about adjudicating in a fair and impartial manner without favour or bias given the information presented before us.”
Councillors Brad Hill and Steffie Conroy opposed the decision to grant a permit. Hill said “this is not a case of a couple of ‘Karens’, if you like, without real complaints. I did visit this street. It’s a special place – lots of birds, lots of trees, and above all tranquility.”
The proposal approved is for a single-storey building with a basement car park, and vehicle and pedestrian access provided off Sibyl Avenue. The ground level will host eight activity rooms each catering for varying age groups, toilets, a reception and office, a staff room, a planning room, a kitchen, an area for parents, and a stairwell and lift to the basement.
Council officers recommended that the permit be approved and wrote that the application had “undergone a thorough assessment taking into consideration the relevant planning policy and controls, referral comments and objections received.”
First published in the Frankston Times – 1 April 2025