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49 Comments

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1. This will destroy heritage fabric of the facility. How do you control kids? Council should not allow this to happen under any circumstances, as modification required to make building compliant will cost a big time in heritage value the suburb will loose. Also changes in standard would require further modification can not be stopped if childcare start operating here. There is massive queue in the morning peak hours due to parklea school and additional childcare will make it worst for local residents.

   Please reject this application in a same way it was rejected previously. The company should be fined in their attempt to waste everyone time with repeated attempt.

2. Dangerous corner (on a bend and on a hill, blind corner) to have multiple vehicles entering and exiting. Also have 3 schools within close vacinity to each other in this area and would increase traffic congestion in the area being the main road out of the suburb. Before and after school times would be heavily impacted.

3. Traffic on Glenwood Park Drive is bad enough adding another bottle neck of traffic on this busy road is not well thought out and unfair to local residents - thank you

4. Glenwood Park Drive is already very congested due to the limited entries/exits within the area. Parklea Public School is just on the next block down and traffic is backed up at peak hours. This development will only add to the congestion.
   Also as this building is heritage listed, the building would not be able to meet government building specifications and childcare compliance requirements without the developer severely altering the current historic dwelling.

5. I agree to earlier comments that Glenwood Park Drive is highly congested already. Allowing additional facilities like Childcare in such a heritage location will only add to the existing issues. Please overrule the application and let the property stay as it is.

6. Glenwood Park Drive is quite congested at school times. Adding in a childcare facility just adds onto that. Also being a heritage building would hate to see any changes causing it to change its overall look or feel. Definitely would be great to have more childcares in the close vicinity but believe that building/location should be left alone.

7. Agree with everyone there is already enough traffic and congestion in the area. It’s on a main road on a blind corner.

8. Under the right guidance and adhering to heritage requirements I believe it would be wonderful to see such a beautiful historical building maintained and thriving with the youth of our community. There are concerns with traffic but if the submission can provide viable options to appease those concerns as well then I would not oppose

9. I think it’s a great idea to place a childcare centre on these grounds. Quality childcare is needed in Glenwood as there are not enough spots for all the children and their families. If the building can be used without disrupting the facade and remaining with the heritage look that is required when changing only 10% of the building then why not!!!

   Childcare centres need parking on grounds so the street parking will not be affect as everyone does not go into and out of a centre at school times....

10. Already concerning area due to congestion from schools, the heritage building will be destroyed through the modifications made to it.

11. There are several young families in Glenwood with children who require childcare facilities. The current childcares are full and hard to find a spot, hence another childcare in this area is a requirement and I would support the opening of childcare at this location.

12. I think it’s great initiative
    This area is growing fast and many young families are settling in and around. It’ll tremendously help parents.

13. This definitely can be a great help with the young families that are settling in this area. We had to wait for a spot for a few months and even after that split our child care between two centres, such a stress to the little ones to adjust. Please make this happen

14. I am personally struggling to find a good childcare around this area as other childcares are either full or not very good. I think having another childcare facility in this area will be very beneficial in terms of providing support to the local families. I strongly support the opening of another childcare centre here.

15. It would be an absolute delight to see this beautiful heritage property turning into a high quality Childcare Centre.

    Great and very convenient for community to have a childcare centre with awesome facilities.

    I strongly support Glenwood house turning into a childcare centre. Nothing else will do justice to this Iconic property other than this divine business.
    Please make this happen😊!!

16. There are several young families in Glenwood with children who require childcare facilities. The current childcares are full and hard to find a spot, hence another childcare in this area is a requirement and I would support the opening of childcare at this location.

17. We think the childcare in the area will
    Be very beneficial or families
    With young children. A good childcare is very important as one of our friends staying in the area have struggled to find a childcare as the ones they approached were full and the one they are enrolled are not very good. I fully support opening of childcare in the locality.

18. We are in dire need of childcare facilities with the constantly increasing population. Developing this heritage centre into a chilcare would be an appropriate, effective decision and in regard to the busy road, I am sure that will be taken into consideration by the developers and planned accordingly so as to avoid any inconvenience to the surrounding residents.

19. Quality childcare is needed in Glenwood area as there are not enough spots for all the children around this area if the building can be used without disrupting the facade and remaining with the heritage look why not!!!

    Childcare centres always have their own parking area so the street parking will not be affect as everyone does not go into and out of a centre at school times. Also if the centre space big enough can have before and after care it can have more beneficial for the community so why not

20. The beautiful suburb of Glenwood needs quality child care centre which can be very beneficial in helping children and young families alike, there are ways of conserving the heritage area and by adding the childcare centre will only be of benefit to the struggling economy in this hard times by providing extra employment options to public and will be a welcome relief to young working families. The council should consider this as a good future development.

21. First thing traffic isnt an issue for the children as they dont move in and move out often during school times

    The second one is many families are settling down around the glenwood area, so establishing a childcare will be of a great help for the parents around.

    Developing a heritage site into a childcare would be an appropriate and effective decision and parents will also show the interest and will be happy to see their children in such a heritage building :)

    Overall its a very good decision and it shouldnt be put down...hope this heritage site will turn into a place where children would love to go to.

    Finally, i support opening a child care in glenwood

22. With adequate care and assurance to not infringe on the property's heritage so that its importance is preserved, letting a new childcare open in this area could be a win-win scenario. Urbanization is vital to the society and with it come the necessities like schools and childcare centers. Although, increasing traffic is certainly a nuisance, these new businesses will provide the much needed jobs and comfort to the local community. I strongly support this initiative.

23. Traffic and congestion aren’t the main issues as the children won’t come out during their school time and many families around would be beneficial by this move to turn a beautiful heritage site into a very beautiful child care

    Thereby I support to establish a child care in that area as it would turn into a win-win scenario anyway

24. Quality Childcare is definitely needed in Glenwood. A public facility dedicated to the presentation of the childcare is really going to be a good development. This will help many young families. I don't think traffic can be a hindrance. In my opinion, this should happen as soon as possible.

25. When anyone says 'It's heritage listed' people usually back off, thinking there would be too many regulations and criterias to be met.

    What better place than this to instill culture and values in kids than a hertigate listed center for the previous n next generation to merge and pave a new path.

    Australia has good council bodies with highest standards who govern and make decisions. I'm sure they will find solutions for both safety of children and workers.

    If someone is trying to maintain it by setting up a childcare that will preserve existing and extend it by laying stronger foundations for kids safety kudos to them.

    I'm all in for high quality childcare & learning centres as the existing ones either don't have adequate seat, and the kids are being placed on long waiting lists for securing required days.

26. I think its great if we can get a new childcare facility in this area as its so hard to manage work and children and the centres dont have space for new enrolments. We definitely need a new childcare facility!

27. yes, it’s a great idea to have a childcare centre on these grounds.childcare with good quality is needed in Glenwood as there are only a few spots for all the children and their families. If the building can be used without disrupting the facade and remaining with the heritage look that is required when changing only a minimal part of the building then why not!!!

    Childcare centres need parking on grounds so the street parking will not be affect as everyone does not go into and out of a centre at school times

28. indeed, it's an extraordinary thought to have a childcare community on these grounds.childcare with great quality is required in Glenwood as there are a couple of spots for all the kids and their families. On the off chance that the structure can be utilized without disturbing the veneer and staying with the legacy look that is required while changing just an insignificant piece of the structure then why not
    Childcare fixates need stopping on grounds so the road stopping won't be influence as everybody doesn't go into and out of a middle at school times..

    I'm all in for excellent childcare and learning focuses as the current ones either don't have sufficient seat, and the children are being put on long sitting tight records for making sure about required days.

29. I think it’s great initiative
    This area is growing fast and many young families are settling in and around. It’ll tremendously help parents.

30. With all due respect towards the heritage of this location, as someone who’s personally seen so many families around the area struggle to find adequate childcare for their children, I think this facility is absolutely necessary.

    The growing concerns of crowded childcares with COVID-19 still prevalent should be prompting us to further support the establishment of this child care centre.

    Using a heritage site as grounds for a childcare centre does not diminish its value or indicate disrespect in anyway.

    As for concerns regarding traffic congestion and bottlenecks, I’m sure the developers and council is perfectly equipped in tackling the issue

31. It is sad to see this building just sitting there with such a large space going unused. I don’t have a need for this to be a childcare but some of the comments regarding a need for more ‘good’ childcare are not guaranteed just because it is new. The site should be used in some way and if that can be to the betterment of the community then why not? Coming out of the driveway should be left turn only as the corner is not safe at any time of day. It will impact on traffic with those turning across to get into the car park but traffic heading south (away from Parklea Public) is never as heavy.

    If it is used as a childcare as proposed, Council will of course need to ensure that every effort is taken to protect the heritage site. There are also plenty of families who do childcare drop off and pick up around other school hours so suggesting traffic will not be moving around here at the same time is incorrect.

    Is this the best use for this site? I don’t know.

32. I support the building of the childcare as we need more quality care in the area. With so many young families, there is also a dearth of childcare. Childcare would not only be good for the families but also create more jobs.

33. I welcome the Childcare in Glenwood as the Suburb is expanding and more young families are making their home.

    In-view of the Sydney Metro and the planned development of Parklea markets soon, it's time we take Initiative with planning the suburb with facilities like an additional Childcare.

    For Traffic Issues, Council can address as there are schools around and a Childcare is preferred in a close proximity to schools.

34. Council needs to make a note that 19 comments were made on 30th October in favour of childcare without any justification. All the comments name should be checked against the resident address in Glenwood and I am sure it will come out as fake comment provided by Developer itself.

    This is the last of the heritage building left in Glenwood (exter farm is another but it had different character) and should be register on State Heritage and not just on Council local register to avoid similar attempt by the developer.

    Those fake comment about lack of childcare places don't know that Glenwood has Six Operational Childcare approved at this moment with places available for kids. In addition Glenwood has number of Family day care available with empty places, so lack of places in childcare in Glenwood is fake. No other suburb within Blacktown LGA has similar facility as in Glenwood you will find one childcare within radius of 2km.

    Current Childcare proposal is 200m from existing GoodsStart Childcare and 250m from Parklea School. So traffic in the morning and afternoon peak will be disaster as we don't just deal with traffic from childcare & schools but we also dealing with traffic going through Miami St to Balmoral Rd and to the Metro station. So left in/ left out won't provide any solution to traffic congestion.

    This is a good site to convert and restore it's heritage value and used as a community place which could be a book store or reading facility or social art classes would suit best for this location as that can be operated during off-peak time.

    Council must reject proposal to convert this heritage building into Childcare but certainly can consider restoring & operating as a social space where community can utilies the space and heritage feature & fabrics are preserved.

35. It is sad to see this building just sitting there with such a large space going unused. I don’t have a need for this to be a childcare but some of the comments regarding a need for more ‘good’ childcare are not guaranteed just because it is new. The site should be used in some way and if that can be to the betterment of the community then why not? Coming out of the driveway should be left turn only as the corner is not safe at any time of day. It will impact on traffic with those turning across to get into the car park but traffic heading south (away from Parklea Public) is never as heavy.

    If it is used as a childcare as proposed, Council will of course need to ensure that every effort is taken to protect the heritage site. There are also plenty of families who do childcare drop off and pick up around other school hours so suggesting traffic will not be moving around here at the same time is incorrect.

    Is this the best use for this site? I don’t know.

36. This could be a good location for a childcare, since we have 3 schools within close vacinity to each other in this area. Regarding the traffic, the childcare could open early and parents could drop children early which should not impact on the traffic.
    Opening a childcare could generate new jobs for the Glenwood community with jobs close to home.

37. We desperately need more childcare in our local area to benefit those who looking for jobs in the local area, I did a bit of research on the traffic and how this will impact below are some of the facts.

    Some of the staff start at 7:30 and leave after 6:30 some start at 9 and leave at 5 these times are not within the school times.
    Since the center open from 7:30 most parents drop children around 7:30
    Size of this proposed center on an average AM-12 cars in left and 7 cars right during peak hours PM-6L/6R
    Based on the available material Glenwood park drive Eastbound traffic - 331 AM/181PM - Westbound 104AM/278PM
    The new metro will help reduce traffic as well.

    I don't think this development will generate huge traffic I did a bit of research on the traffic below are some of the facts.

38. Working parents to place children close to Glenwood is not easy you only know if you have children. Parents with children always struggle to find affordable, good, with close proximity is always a challenge. Having more childcare in local areas can create competition among them and can have affordable with quality. Having affordable quality childcare in the local area can increase interest for parents to live in areas than to increase the values of our properties.

    25 months to 35 no places Monday and Tuesday
    36 months to preschool no places

    Like above there are no places or no places on particular days.

    This includes
    Glenwood
    Glenwood South
    Bella Vasta
    Baulkham hills
    Northwest

    I strongly support having childcare in my local area.

39. It's always a pleasure for me to drive past Glenwood house.

    This is one of the very few remaining heritage properties in our local area however if the property poorly maintained then this may fall quickly and can be disrepair even can suffer from vandalism since this property left unoccupied for a long time.

    If the developer can reuse without making significate changing to the heritage signification of the Glenwood house, then I have no issue.

    I respect the owners who are taking care of this building for these many years with no income, I rather not to make suggestions on what they should operate. I wish them that they can generate revenue rather than me adding one more objection to stop from doing something that they can safeguard this wonderful heritage house for future generations to celebrate our urban history.

40. Although I’m not a resident of the areas we are seriously considering to move to this locality. Contrary to many comments above I brace the idea of using this beautiful heritage property as a child care. If given a choice would there be any better usage of our culture and value enriched heritage buildings than for educating and nurturing our beautiful children. It definitely helps to influence our future generations in a positive way and to encourage them to take care of such grounds.
    I can understand the concerns about the traffic bottlenecks but I’ve confidence that relevant authorities can find a solution as in many occasions.

41. This is a great location for childcare centre. The area is big and we have 3 schools within close vacinity to each other in this area and would not impact traffic as the childcare opens Parents can drop children early which will not impact on the traffic at all.

42. Just to those local who don't know heritage value of the building please visit NSW Heritage Website. This Two storey houses built in 1853 from the Victorian era are rare in Blacktown and it is the ONLY ONE in GLENWOOD.

    Some more fake comments added by the developer and council should make sure that all fake comment should be rejected.

    Someone here suggested with fake traffic data that traffic study suggest that congestion is not the issue. Council need to make sure that any traffic study submitted with this application includes traffic count pre-covid and post opening of Miami St/Balmoral Rd realigned intersection. Traffic congestion more than doubled after Miami St/Balmoral Rd intersection re-aligned as people not only use this internal road to bypass Sunyholt Rd & Old Windsor Rd but also use it as shortest route without traffic signal to go to Metro Station and also go further on Windsor Rd. This traffic in addition to traffic we have for school makes queue longer than 1.5km in the morning for the parents dropping kids at the school but also for business & commuter trying to go through Glenwood Park Drive. Traffic situation is worst between 7:00am to 9:15am every morning and same in the afternoon. Council should get the Data from TMC before Covid 19 started (excluding Christmas and January as traffic is low across Sydney during this time of year). Traffic study must consider future development around Glenwood in particular planned development for Parklea market.

    So someone's suggestion that people drop kids early morning before 7:30am is also not only factually wrong but also lacks knowledge about how & when parents drop kids at childcare. Most children are dropped together with their sibling at the school and also traffic congestion during week days starts at 7am to 730am. Parents can not be forced to dropped their kids before 7:30am so that can not be used as assumption in the traffic study.

    Developer comment here suggested that "The new metro will help reduce traffic as well" is factually incorrect as the worst traffic condition observed since opening of the Miami St/Balmoral Rd re-alignment and data from TMC will suggest the same. In addition people not going to come into Metro and then walk to this new childcare to drop their kids so at least try to use some logic when you send comments.

    Developer comments here also suggested that "converting this building into childcare would enrich culture and value in to our kids" is like teaching kids that how you can change history with DA application and fake comments. Children don't learn & value culture by destroying heritage fabric and converting last remaining heritage house in the suburb to childcare. Certainly converting this building into museum or cultural or community centre or book store or medical centre would help kids to know history of Glenwood.

    Congestion is not just the biggest issue for this development but safe traffic movement through this road within 200m to the primary school will be biggest issue to the parents who actually sends their kids to the school. Any fatality due to road accident as a result of this development will be responsibility of the approving authority as certainly the new hazard will be created by this development is not warranted considering the fact that Glenwood has more than 6 childcare to serve the local needs and many more family day care at very reasonable rate within Glenwood, in addition suburb around Glenwood (Quakers Hill, Kinds Langley, Norwest & Parklea) also has many active childcare.

    Some of the comment suggest property investor loosing money so we should just let it convert to anything that makes money for the investor but the person failed to realise that the investor was informed about the heritage status of the building before purchase so he/she bought it by knowing that this place can only be used with limited possibility that aligns with heritage character of the building. No one forced property investor to purchase this property so he / she is not loosing money they are just getting what they expected of this property. There are other use of the building that could includes medical centre (previously approved usage) or offices that has restricted start time of 9:30am onward but childcare is the worst possible conversion. Glenwood only has 4 Medical centre with long queue at Glenwood Medical Centre all the time of the month so contrary to Childcare demand this suburb needs a new medical centre and that is what council should consider subject to preservation of heritage fabric. Medical centre was previously operational at this facility and can be operated without significant changes to the internal structure.

    Just to those local who don't know heritage value of the building please visit NSW Heritage Website. This Two storey houses built in 1853 from the Victorian era are rare in Blacktown and it is the ONLY ONE in GLENWOOD. So please save the history for future generation and most importantly locals don't want more traffic and safety hazard for the kids going to Parklea School, people living and commute driving through Glenwood Park drive. Council and Planning authority should reject conversion to Childcare.

43. Council should reject this application due to significant traffic congestion in the morning peak on Glenwood Park Drive.

    In addition Memorial Avenue widening project is recently awarded for construction and works will continue for three year which means more additional traffic will be put on Balmoral Rd which will go through Miami Street and then Glenwood Park Drive to other suburbs to avoid heavy traffic anticipated due to road closures and Narrowing of Memorial Avenue due to construction works. Approving authority needs to make sure that no additional traffic is added to Balmoral Rd/Miami Street as a result of Memorial Avenue widening project. For another 3 to 4 year until Memorial Avenue widening is completed no new development should be permitted on Glenwood Park Drive similar to Childcare.

    It takes more than 25 - 30 minutes to drive from Woolworths on Glenwood Park Drive to Maimi Street in the morning peak hours (Pre-covid) which is only 1.5km through Glenwood park drive.

    Local resident don't need this development as Childcare or any other development that generates concentrated traffic during school hours is not welcome and council should reject it. Safety of the school children should be considered first and this development will create additional hazard for the locality.

    Once this development is rejected then council should make sure that Memorial Avenue widening is not adding additional traffic during construction on to Miami St / Balmoral Rd.

44. I would echo the views of Scott Morrison here (posted a day before) as it is well reasoned and reasonable ask. Posting this on 4th Nov 2020What Glenwood needs is a Medical centre or any other facility which isn't time bound, which would be the most ideal use of the heritage site. Just to highlight a few points which have already been stated which need to weigh into consideration by council : 1. Traffic in the two or three main arterial roads of Glenwood (Glenwood park drive, Meurants lane and Malvern Road) are worse during school and peak hours. 2. Council should be wary of favourable comments from vested interests (say, Developers and investors) 3. Consider future developments around Glenwood which will see traffic situation worsening.

45. I totally agree with Mark Gordon. I do not support this application. We have alot of people who have come from overseas and do not understand what "Heritage listed Buildings" mean to alot of Australian's. We are loosing too many of our buildings to developers who do not care about anything except making money. You only have to drive around and see what heritage buildings are left. The building has been vacant for many years. I do agree that it would be nice if the building could be turned into a cafe with Mothers groups, Elderly exercise groups, art gallery, a library or a place where locals can hold small groups of meetings or a place set up for locals to "work from home". We need to keep this building without altering it. I do not feel a childcare centre would be appropriate. There is plenty of childcare centres within Glenwood already. The amount of traffic that is there in the mornings is horrendous. Glenwood residences have to put up alot of traffic and it is a thoroughfare for cars wanting to skip the traffic on Sunnyholt Road and Old Windsor Road. We dont have a say in what traffic comes through, we have to put up with it. But you have given us locals a say in this, and I dont think it is a viable option. When you come out of this driveway you are in a blind spot. I can see so many accidents already waiting to happen. Other times, we have young people speeding up and down Glenwood Park Drive like a racetrack. Please consider using this "HERITAGE BUILDING" as something else rather then a childcare centre. This does not benefit Glenwood residences, not every resident has a child in childcare. There is no guarantee that this building would not get ruined should it be turned into a childcare. The developer cannot guarantee this. Who will be responsible for any damage or repairs should this building get damaged? Will us rate payers be responsible? The building has been vacant for a while and it has never been vandalized. Now some of the comments above mentioned this. But if you actually lived in Glenwood you would know 1) Traffic Congestion in that area 2) It has not been vandalized 3)There are plenty of child care centres all ready in Glenwood, not including the home based ones. 4)Glenwood Park Drive is already a race track for young drivers 5)Glenwood residents would really love to keep this building as is, as a HERITAGE building.

46. Glenwood House is a beautiful property, but it is not an example of 1860's built, I saw original pictures of this building taken 1900 I don't even recognise the current structure. This building was modified over the years furthermore this building suffered heavily during fire accident they're after lost its original character.

    If traffic is the concern, then the council should address and improve traffic conditions for the betterment of the suburb. Better roads can improve zoning and property values. We do need local communal services within our community; I only support facilities which are permissible under LEP/DCP of R2 zoning. I will never advocate for any other use of this building which is not allowed under R2 zoning. Under R2 zoning childcare, home office, single dwelling are permitted.

    I support the childcare proposal as long as this use permitted under R2 zoning which council should look into before approving any such business.

47. We need childcare in my local area so I support.

48. This place used to be used as a medical center. Then there was no issues with parking. Etc. My family owns a 150 year old heritage building. My folks still live in the heritage building. We are not allowed to change anything even the sash windows and flooring. This building shows signs of changes. Traffic is a fact of normal urban life. Lots of people in the area are looking for child care facilities. I support this application . I live in the area. Simply because I support those application does not mean that It is a fake developer support.Live and let live Get used to sharing the area.

49. More childcare facilities are needed in Glenwood for younger families due to the fact that most are already at a full capacity. This is beneficial for working parents who live in Glenwood who are in need- coming from the basis that I have lived in Glenwood myself.

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