Parkwood Manus 2

A development application was lodged for a new childcare centre at 2, 4 and 6 Manus Place in Parkwood, involving the redevelopment of three adjoining residential lots.

The proposal

According to the City of Canning’s public consultation material, the proposal involved demolishing the existing houses on all three properties and replacing them with a two storey childcare facility. The centre was designed to accommodate up to 111 children, supported by a maximum of 20 staff on site at any one time.

Vehicle access formed a key part of the proposal. An undercover car park with 32 bays was included, arranged as a one way system with entry via Ropele Drive and exit via Manus Place. The childcare centre was proposed to operate between 6:30am and 6:30pm, Monday to Friday.

Although the site is zoned Residential under Local Planning Scheme No. 42, a childcare centre is classed as a discretionary use within that zone. This means it’s not automatically allowed and must instead be advertised for public comment and assessed through a formal planning process.

Who made the decision

Rather than being determined by the City of Canning alone, the application was assessed through the Development Assessment Panel pathway. Under this process, the City of Canning prepares a detailed planning report and recommendation, with the final decision made by an independent panel.

Decision and outcome

The proposal was considered by the Metro Inner Development Assessment Panel at Meeting No. 58 on 4 February 2025. The panel resolved to approve the application for the childcare premises.

Conditions attached to the approval

The approval came with a number of conditions that will directly shape how the development operates in practice. Before the centre can open, the three existing lots must be amalgamated into a single title, meaning they will legally become one property. Strict limits will also be placed on capacity, capping attendance at 111 children and 20 staff at any one time.

Operating hours were tightly defined. The centre is only permitted to operate Monday to Friday between 6:30am and 6:30pm, on non-public holidays. In addition, outdoor play areas cannot be used before 7:00am, which is intended to reduce early morning noise impacts on nearby residents.

Parking requirements were also specified. The site must provide 11 visitor bays, 20 staff bays and one ACROD bay, all clearly marked and available prior to occupation. Further conditions address traffic circulation like signage for the one way system and upgrades within the road reserve, including crossovers and footpath works.

Earlier versions of the proposal

Some online material refers to an earlier version of the childcare proposal for the same site. That earlier iteration describes a smaller centre catering for 94 children and 17 staff, supported with 26 car bays and was advertised for public comment in late 2023.

The approval granted in February 2025 relates to a revised and larger proposal, increasing both the number of children and parking bays, with the project going through at least two publicly visible design stages before reaching its final approved form.