Comments on childcare centre set to close

The proposed site

A public notification period to comment on a 93-place childcare centre at 9 Goonak Pde, Narara, closes on August 2.

The proposal was first submitted to Central Coast Council in May last year but now includes plans of management, traffic and parking impact assessments and revised landscaping plans.

The application says the facility will employ a maximum of 16 staff members with the operating hours proposed to be 7am-6pm, Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays).

Parking would include 15 spaces for staff including 10 within a stacked parking arrangement and 15 parent spaces including an accessible carparking space.

“Within close proximity to Narara railway station, the subject site is within walking distance to a place of public worship (Wyoming Community of Christ), Goonak Parade Playground with a local neighbourhood shop (Ezy Deanz Minimart) situated on the other side of the train lines,” the application says.

“The development site is also within close proximity to an industrial precinct with local bus stops situated along the Pacific Highway with services between Gosford and Ourimbah (Route 37) within a 450m walking radius from the site.”

The applicant, Goonak Pty Ltd, said the development would play a positive and valuable role in increasing childcare places within Narara.

One public comment noted the additional traffic to the area that would result from the centre, saying it would have a negative impact on the flow of the surrounding traffic and further exacerbate current safety issues for both motorists and pedestrians.

It said the Traffic & Parking Impact Assessment report indicated the Goonak Pde/Pacific Hwy intersection was unusual and was an unsafe arrangement.