THERE was no consensus on whether extra traffic from a proposed childcare centre would be too much for Turner Crescent during court proceedings on Thursday.
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Australian Childcare Solutions began its NSW Land and Environment Court appeal against Orange City Council, starting with a site visit from Senior Commissioner Rosemary Martin, followed by a hearing at Orange Courthouse.
Six residents addressed Ms Martin with concerns about the blind corner, narrow road and lack of footpaths for pedestrians.
The concerns led councillors to reject the development in August.
Resident Kylie Webster said it was disappointing the proposal had made it so far.
“We would be happy if [cars] came in at the Northern Distributor Road and exited onto Molong Road,” she said.
Ms Webster said only weeks ago, a car cut the corner in front of the site, forcing a garbage truck to stop suddenly.
“It’s a very dangerous corner,” she said.
Janelle Calder said up to 24 children exited buses servicing the area and the centre posed a risk to their safety.
The applicant’s traffic expert, Ken Hollyoak, said traffic movements would increase by 99 in the morning peak and 88 in the afternoon, but submitted it was well within the limits set by NSW Roads and Maritime Services, which set a goal of 200 movements an hour, with no more than 300 movements.
But the council’s traffic expert, Graham Pindar, said the goal did not take into account lifestyle expectations or whether children could play cricket in the street safely and the RMS also had a provision for 90 movements an hour.
Mr Hollyoak said a median strip would stop motorists from cutting the corner, while Mr Pindar said no stopping zones would be required and would not improve sightlines.
Barrister for the applicant Fenja Berglund submitted amended plans to the court, which levelled the car park to improve privacy for a neighbouring house.
Australian Childcare Solutions spokesman David Roberts declined to comment given the matter was still before the court.
The case continues in Sydney on Friday.