An application for the re-subdivision of a parcel land in Milton was lodged by The Anglican Schools Corporation on Wednesday, November 8.
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The Corporation promised to lodge the DA with Shoalhaven City Council after it announced plans to close down popular local preschool, GumNuts Pre-Kinder, and sell off the land on which it operates.
The preschool and the former Shoalhaven Anglican School share the same parcel of land. However, parent group Save Gumnuts negotiated with the Corporation for a DA that would split the block in two. This will allow a new owner/operator to buy the land and keep the preschool open.
The DA was supposed to be lodged immediately after Thursday, October 5, which is when Corporation CEO Ross Smith said architect plans were received and reviewed, and, a consultant tasked with the job of submitting the development application to Council for approval.
However, it took a further five weeks for that application to reach Council.
Special Advisor to the CEO, Jack Chalmers, blamed the Rural Fire Service for the hold-up on Tuesday, October 31. However, a Council spokesperson advised that a DA is not dependant on RFS documentation.
“Council has provided Anglican Schools Corporation (ASC) with verbal and written advice that they can lodge a development application for the re-subdivision of the preschool off the main school site. This application has not yet been submitted to Council,” a spokesperson for Council’s Planning Committee said.
Mr Chalmers has refused to comment further.
What would be best is if the ASC would keep it (Gumnuts) open for a further three months to give a sale time to go through for June 30.
- Calvin Rogers, spokesperson, Save Gumnuts parent group.
Those fighting to save the preschool were happy to hear that a DA has finally been lodged, but they’re also concerned that time is running out.
“What would be best is if the ASC would keep it (Gumnuts) open for a further three months to give a sale time to go through for June 30,” Save Gumnuts spokesperson, Calvin Rogers, said.
Parents have just over four weeks left to find alternative care arrangements for their children in 2018.
Mr Rogers believes a three-month stay of execution would allow time for a successful DA process and sale.
