We are sadly announcing that our plans to start construction of our new childcare facility in Ainslie have been stalled as the North Canberra Community Council (NCCC) seeks to challenge validity for the approval at the ACT Civil & Administrative Tribunal (ACAT). This is the second appeal against aspects of the childcare project as the club looks to other revenue sources to reduce its dependency on gaming revenue.
We are perplexed and somewhat dumbfounded by the NCCC attempts to object to any form of diversification on our Wakefield Avenue precinct, particularly when both the NCCC and the Ainslie Resident’s Association have been long-standing advocates for additional childcare facilities to be built in both Ainslie and Inner North.
Furthermore, our childcare project was recently approved by all relevant authorities following a thorough community consultation process and is consistent with ACT Government policies including the diversification of club income streams.
We have also been working with local residents and the wider Ainslie community for the past four years and generally we believe the community is excited about our future plans and understand that the club needs to evolve.
Whilst we acknowledge the democratic right of appeal, it is concerning that the review process on matters of planning and development are uniquely susceptible to these claims.
We will defend our position and, if successful, will explore options to seek compensation either individually or collectively. The cost to defend these objections are clearly a waste of our member’s money and, ultimately, reduce the benefits that we could provide to the community.