Ballina Fig Trees saved, childcare centre plans withdrawn

Developers of a proposed childcare centre in Ballina say they have withdrawn their council application in response to community concerns over associated tree removals.

A media representative confirmed the formal withdrawal of the controversial development application (DA) on Monday.

The developers, a company called RAM, had issued a media statement on the decision four days prior but said its formal process was held up owing to technicalities.

‘We have listened to community feedback and decided — based on concerns regarding the removal of two fig trees and one paperbark tree on the site — not to proceed with our application to develop a childcare centre in Ballina,’ RAM Head of Real Estate Matthew Strotton was quoted in the media release.

Developers quote dire childcare availability stats in Ballina

The decision in favour of the trees came despite a recent study by the Mitchell Institute for Education and Health Policy describing Ballina as a ‘childcare desert’, RAM said.

The company quoted data in the report showing only one childcare spot available for every 4.67 children in the Ballina area surrounding the proposed centre.

Initial plans had featured a two-storey building to cater for around sixty children and fifteen saff.

But some objectors to the proposal had expressed concern over child safety in the heavily trafficked area near a popular fast-food chain and a large shopping centre.

Plans to replace thirty-year-old trees abandoned

Mr Strotton said plans to restore vegetation to the area had included planting native rainforest species.

Seventy-five indigenous trees, 1,763 grasses and shrubs, and 327 groundcovers would have been planted, he said.

‘We also ensured that the site was not within a koala planning area and that no endangered species of flora or fauna would be impacted or removed,’ Mr Strotton said.

Objectors had said it would take years for new plants to effectively replace what was destroyed and that wildlife would suffer in the meantime as there was a shortage of green space in the area.

Mr Strotton said it was crucial the proposed childcare centre development ‘had the support of the Ballina community’.

‘In hearing these concerns, we have decided not to proceed,’ he said.