TWO child care centres have been proposed for Ziegenfusz Road in Thornlands but residents fear it will place unnecessary strain on the traffic-congested roads during school runs and peak hours.
The developer has submitted a material change of use application to Redland City Council and residents have until March 1 to oppose it.
This is the second child care centre application before council. Another is proposed just 800 metres down the road.
The site situated just off Panorama Drive is on a busy route for parents dropping children off at Bayview State School and Carmel College.
The proposed development includes 25 car parking spaces including 11 staff spaces.
"Parents will be parking out on the street on a blind hill and crossing the road with children... it's dangerous," resident Cheryl Lawrie said.
Aleisha Billing said motorists used the Ziegenfusz Road to get to Panorama Drive during peak hours and as the area became busier, she worried about the resale value of her property.
According to residents, learner drivers also use the road for their lessons and children often ride their bikes to school.
Rosemary and Andrew Mapson have lived on Ziegenfusz Road for 26 years and moved to the area for a quiet spot with a view of the bay.
"Building a child care center will have huge environmental issues. As it is when it rains, the water flows through our property and the fences can't contain the water in the gully," Mrs Mapson said.
The proposed child care centre is set to have 96 places, but owner of Crystal Waters Child Care Centre Russell Stockton said there was no proven need for another centre in the area.
"There are about six child care centres in the two kilometre radius of the site with more than 550 available places.
"I am only running at 54 per cent and even during COVID when child care was free, I was running at only 63 per cent," he said.
Mr Stockton has owned the child care facility at the Crystal Waters Shopping Centre for years and said there was already a massive oversupply in the area.
Cr Paul Golle has met with residents and council officers and is concerned the area is not equipped to be a mixed use zone.
"There has been no consideration for the traffic implications and privacy for residents as well as the environmental impact. The existing centres in Thornlands are not at capacity... why introduce more competition, it's not needed in this area," he said.
He has called both applications into council.
"The state government has said find sites for mixed business use. This is a residential area and not the area for mixed use... it's mind blowing that developers come in without knowing the area," he said.
Angela Kelly
Redland City Bulletin senior journalist covering politics, community issues and human interest stories. South African living the dream in Australia.
Redland City Bulletin senior journalist covering politics, community issues and human interest stories. South African living the dream in Australia.
