Development Assessment Officer for Great Lakes Council, Stephen Andrews, will be assessing the development application for the proposed Child Care Centre, which if approved, will be the second Child Care Centre in the Tea Gardens area.

"Along with other aspects, my recommendation will depend on what the reaction from the community will be and the response from the Rural Fire Service," explained Mr Andrews.

Mr Andrews said the development will cost $540,000 and that the applicants will need to apply to the Department of Children's Services (DOCS) to seek approval for a license.

The proposed development seeks consent for the following:

z The construction of a single storey building to accommodate a maximum of 66 children in ages ranging up to six years;

z The construction of a partly covered outdoor play area;

z The provision of 16 on site car parking spaces; and

z The provision of associated landscaped areas.

Director of Crighton Properties, Andrew Cox, explained that Crighton Properties was approached by a childcare operator, who wishes to have the centre constructed immediately following the necessary approvals.

"The Centre will be conveniently located only a short walk to the Myall Quays Shopping Village and the Myall Coast Health and Medical Centre. The Centre will be centrally located with the future expansion of the town over the 'Riverside at Tea Gardens', ‘Myall Quays' and ‘Myall River Downs' development sites," said Mr Cox.

Mr Andrews said the Centre would be equipped with four distinct play rooms for the children and each will have access to shared toilet facilities, with one of the rooms including cots for the infants. "There will also be a staff room, kitchen and disabled access," he added.

The application is classed as Integrated Development and requires the approval of the Rural Fire Service under the Rural Fires Act 1997.