Plans for a medium-high rise in the CBD have left parents and staff at a neighbouring preschool concerned for the safety and well-being of their children. 

The City of Greater Bendigo last week touted plans for the four-storey building slated for the corner of High Street and Myrtle Street as an example of the mixed-use development made possible by council’s rezoning of the area to Commercial 1 Zone.

But Bendigo Preschool director Elisa Claxton said the preschool had lodged an objection to the proposed development after parents raised concerns about noise and dust during the construction process, privacy concerns once the apartments had been built and child safety around the heavy machinery and increased traffic. 

The Myrtle Street preschool is separated from the proposed retail and apartment building by the narrow Londonderry Lane. 

“There are lots of concerns but the major issue is parking,” Ms Claxton said. 

“We’ve limited parking as it is – we have 93 families coming to this preschool – and it’s only going to be even worse during construction and then afterwards, when there are more people living in the area.” 

The city’s director of planning, Prue Mansfield, said council was holding discussions with VicRoads.

“There will then be a consultation meeting to discuss the preschool, where objectors can raise concerns and ideas,” she said. 

“By then, plans detailing the parking to be created in Londonderry lane will be available.”

Penny Bolton has sent two of her children to Bendigo Preschool and has two more she hopes will follow in their footsteps. But the mother of four is one of many who are concerned about what the proposed development could mean for her childrens’ safety. 

“My primary concern is with the initial construction phase,” she said.

“What will be done to shield the kids whose play area will back right onto a construction site?

“There will be a lot of noise, dust, big machinery and lots of different people coming and going.” 

But City of Greater Bendigo director of planning Prue Mansfield argued children would be safer if the development goes ahead. 

“There will be some inconvenience during construction, however a construction management plan (CMP) minimising this and other concerns will be a condition of the planning permit,” she said.

“Safety of parents and children will increase once the development is  completed. 

“The laneway will be constructed in a formalised way by the developer with line marked short term parking, rather than the informal arrangements that exist now. 

“While it is still to be finalised, at this stage  there will be about 15 short-term car parking spaces created in Londonderry Lane. 

“We are also considering converting some long term parks along Creek Street converted to short term parks whilst construction takes place.”