We, the undersigned residents and members of the Southern Highlands community, respectfully call on Wingecarribee Shire Council to place an immediate freeze on the approved Development Application for the childcare centre at 5 Farnborough Drive, pending further independent traffic and safety investigation.

Our concern is not with childcare services. Our concern is safety.

The approved centre is located within an estate that has only one entry and one exit point. The proposed facility sits extremely close to that exit, on a blind bend, with no provision for safe on-street parking directly in front of the centre.

At peak drop-off and pick-up times, this configuration will significantly increase vehicle congestion in a constrained space that is already used daily by residents, visitors, delivery vehicles and emergency services.

Over 90 written submissions were made to Council raising traffic and safety concerns.
At the Planning Panel meeting, 11 residents formally spoke against the proposal, outlining the risks posed by increased vehicle movements at this location.

Despite these concerns, approval has been granted.

We believe this decision warrants urgent reconsideration in light of:

The single access point to the estate
The proximity of the centre to the estate exit
The blind bend location
The absence of safe parking or turning space
The likely concentration of vehicle movements during peak times
The potential risk to pedestrians, children, cyclists and residents
Lack of footpaths (a requirement under Child Care Centre Guidelines)
Lack of street lighting (at least 2 hours darkness on a narrow road in Winter)
 

We respectfully request:

An immediate freeze on the operational commencement of the childcare centre at 5 Farnborough Road.
An independent traffic and road safety review conducted by a qualified external authority.
A transparent reassessment of traffic management and risk mitigation options in consultation with residents.
This petition is made in the interest of public safety, responsible planning and the wellbeing of our community.