Yes to gym, childcare centre

A NEW childcare centre and gymnasium have been approved in Emerald by Cardinia Shire Council.
Council last week gave notice of its decision to grant a planning permit for the 60-berth childcare centre, to be built on the corner of the Belgrave-Gembrook Road and Como Street.
Council also granted a permit for an indoor health and fitness centre as part of a new recreation and office development in the town’s central business district.
The two proposals were key items for discussion at last Monday’s town planning meeting.
Several residents opposed the childcare development and Emerald ward councillor Ed Chatwin also voted against the proposal at the town planning meeting.
Cr Chatwin said he had concerns about the safety of children and their parents going to and from the facility and the potential for accidents at the intersection of Belgrave-Gembrook Road and Como Street.
The councillor said he did not agree with an assessment by VicRoads that Como Street was a low-speed environment and appropriate location for vehicle access to the centre.
“We are (duty bound) to ensure the well-being of the community is taken into account. I don’t believe this (proposal) has done so,” Cr Chatwin said.
Cr Chatwin’s Emerald Ward colleague Graeme Legge moved the recommendation of approval.
Cr Legge said he had some concern about road conditions but was confident any problems could be addressed.
Cr Legge said conditions placed on the permit would go a long way to resolving objectors’ concerns.
“It is appropriate to give approval,” he said.
Cr Legge and Cr Chatwin led colleagues in supporting the gym development.
A double-storey office block, incorporating the gym on the upper level, will be built on a currently vacant site on the south-eastern side of the Belgrave-Gembrook Road.
Cr Legge said he was heartily in favour of having a fitness centre in Emerald.
He said people currently drove outside the area to go to the gym and was confident new parking areas around Puffing Billy Place, Heroes Avenue and elsewhere would cover a proposed shortfall in car parking which had caused some concern at council’s meeting.
The developers must also make a $28,000 contribution to council’s car parking fund.
“We are all being encouraged to take part in exercise and be as fit as possible,” Cr Legge said.