ERA was engaged to work collaboratively with a team of architects and prepare a development application for an integrated early childhood centre (birth to 5 years) to provide all programs and services in the one facility. This included:

• long day care facility including respite care for vulnerable families
• support services for families with children who are experiencing challenges with parenting and social issues
• child health care services such as immunisation, external allied health professionals and community health projects
• training facilities for staff in early childhood education, caring professions and allied health professionals.

The works required were the demolishing part of the existing building and building a two-storey extension. This new section included a mixture of indoor areas, outdoor play areas, a rooftop garden and mezzanine areas overlooking void areas.

The site included various constraints and relied on a significant number of discretions under the planning scheme to obtain approval. These included being located in a residential zone, being contaminated, and being capable of providing only a minimal number of parking spaces on site. ERA was required to review reports by sub-consultants involved in the project, including about site decontamination and traffic impact assessment, and to ensure consistency with both the planning scheme requirements and the architectural/site development plan.

ERA was successful in obtaining the planning permit and the centre is now fully operational.