Darlo childcare centre opponents score win

Opponents of the planned expansion of the KU Frances Newton Preschool in Darlinghurst won a significant victory at Monday’s City of Sydney Council meeting, with Lord Mayor Clover Moore moving a successful motion to incorporate major changes to the controversial project.

In the wake of a community campaign to save Berwick Lane and the John Birt Memorial Playground, which would be swallowed up by the expansion, as well as concerns about visual impact and loss of access, Ms Moore tabled an alternative recommendation, which was agreed to by all councillors except Greens Councillor Irene Doutney and Liberal Councillor Edward Mandla.

The recommendation resolved that Council retain ownership of 222 Palmer St, Darlinghurst for the purpose of creating a new pocket park on the site to replace the loss of the John Birt Memorial Playground. It further committed Council to reviewing the design and location of a ramp connecting the ground floor with the outdoor play area, and providing safe access between Palmer Lane and Bourke St.

Under the previous proposal, access between the thoroughfares would have been lost, with no replacement for the closure of Berwick Lane and the access it provides between Palmer Lane and Bourke St.

Ms Doutney said that while she was an avid supporter of childcare, she opposed the Lord Mayor’s motion because she still held grave concerns about the impact of the development on the area’s heritage.

“I’m still very concerned about the removal of a significant heritage lane, and removing part of what is in fact a network of heritage lanes,” she said.

“The sweeping paths, the ramp and the gates aren’t compatible with these lanes and 140-year-old cottages. Putting this development into that community would be like plonking it in The Rocks.”

Ms Doutney said she understood there were safety issues with children crossing roads but pointed out that children at the existing pre-school already cross the lane safely with assistance from parents and teachers, in what is a quiet, lowtraffic thoroughfare.

Local residents welcomed the Ms Moore’s motion but still harboured some reservations.

“To the Lord Mayor’s credit, she’s listened and is acknowledging the community has concerns,” said one local resident, who did not wish to be named due to employment links to Council. “We’re grateful the community now has the chance for further consultation before the next Council meeting.

“What we want now is more discussion between the immediate local residents and district parents. Unfortunately this issue has been presented as ‘us and them’ but we’re not against childcare.

“In fact, we’re the ones who are picking up needles or calling Council to remove them so that the kids from the pre-school aren’t at risk. We are not  against kids – quite the opposite.”