Tuesday, 1 August 2023

South-Eastern Metropolitan Region

Ann-Marie HERMANS (South-Eastern Metropolitan) (14:36): (298) My constituency question is to the Minister for Planning. As a result of Operation Sandon, IBAC made 34 recommendations to promote transparency in planning decisions, enhance donation and lobbying regulation, improve the accountability of ministerial advisers and electorate officers and strengthen council governance. However, I have previously asked the minister for advice regarding the proposed $2.9 million early childhood education facility at 154 Drysdale Avenue, Narre North. Advice from Casey council is that a decision will be made shortly, but now we hear that a new childcare centre has been approved at 1 Grantchester Road, Narre North, and locals say this is 300 metres from the other childcare centre. With every childcare centre in this vicinity not operating at full capacity and with confirmed vacancies for 2023 and 2024, we want to know why 1 Grantchester Road, Narre North, has been granted an approval for a childcare centre in such close proximity to two centres nearby – and three applications are all also underway.