SAFETY concerns have been raised about a proposed childcare centre in Eglinton, while Bathurst council has also come under fire for its handling of the development application (DA).
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The $1.85 million DA for the childcare centre at 81 Alexander Street was lodged with the council in early October 2025, proposing to knock down the existing buildings, including a house, on the property to make way for the facility.
The 59-place childcare centre would be single-storey, supported by a 10-space car park.
According to the Statement of Environmental Effects (SoEE), prepared by Civic Town Planning, the proposal is "worthy of support".
"It is considered that the childcare centre can be accommodated on the site without impact to the amenity of adjoining and surrounding properties," the document reads.
Eglinton resident Mathew McCarthy, who lives in close proximity to the site, disagrees.
Mr McCarthy said Eglinton does not need another childcare centre and that the specific site, which sits on the corner of Alexander and Wellington streets, is not suitable.
Chief among his concerns is the safety of children in the area walking to and from school, as well as those attending the centre.
The Traffic Impact Statement submitted with the DA identifies an increase of around 100 vehicle movements per day resulting from the childcare centre, but says this is "modest" and can be "absorbed by the local road network without adverse impacts".
However, Mr McCarthy said the increase in traffic, along with changes to visibility, will put children at greater risk.
"Where the playground is going, it's right on the corner of Alexander and Wellington Street and a few years ago a car went through the fence. If kids are in the playground, it's going to be very dangerous," he said.
"And, also, traffic is going to be horrendous. They have to have a fence 1.8 metres high, and we can't see around the corner as it is.
"A lot of kids ride their pushbikes and scooters to school."
He is also concerned about the impact on heritage, saying that the existing house represents the original style of the village.
While it is Mr McCarthy's opinion that the property contributes to heritage, the SoEE notes that the site is not identified as a state or local heritage item, and it is not in a heritage conservation area.
The development aside, Mr McCarthy has also criticised Bathurst council for its advertising of the DA.
He said the DA was not available on the council's DA Tracker website, preventing people from being able to see the plans.
When asked by the Western Advocate, Bathurst council's director of Environmental, Planning and Building Services, Neil Southorn, said the DA did appear on the website, but its supporting documentation was not available for viewing.
"This is part of the broader unavailability of DA Tracker," he said.
"However, plans are also available to view at council."
There is also confusion around the correct address for the development, with it being referred to as both 81 Alexander Street and 46 Wellington Street.
This appears to be due to the property's corner block location.
"The property is located on the corner of Wellington and Alexander Street," Mr Southorn said.
"The property address on council's property system is 46 Wellington Street.
"The property faces towards Alexander Street and has a mail box with number 81 on it."
Mr McCarthy also criticised the council for the limited time he had to object to the proposal, however, the council says the period of notificed development is 10 calendar days.
Mr Southorn said the formal notification period started several days after letters were sent, with it running from October 17 to 27.
"This notification period is in accordance with council's Community Participation Plan," he said.
Mr McCarthy also alleges that, in his conversations with council staff, he was told that the childcare centre DA is "going ahead".
"And that's just not fair. It seems like no matter what we do, it's going to go ahead," he said, adding that he feels the submissions aren't being considered.
Mr Southorn told the Western Advocate that seven submissions had been received and denied that a decision had been made.
"No decision has been made as the application remains under assessment," he said.
He could not say whether or not the DA would be referred to a council meeting for determination.
