TRAFFIC concerns dominated discussions on a proposed childcare centre in Turner Crescent and although it was approved on Tuesday night, it will be brought back for another debate.
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Resident Peter Calder addressed Orange City Council saying parents dropping off and picking up children in the morning and afternoon peaks would create a choke point on Mastronardi Way, the short street linking Turner Crescent to Molong Road.
"If there was some way of having the development have exits onto either the distributor or the Mitchell Highway I think we would be okay with that," he said.
Kylie Webster said Turner Crescent was as narrow as 8.2 metres.
"Even at the widest part of the street, it doesn't allow for two-way traffic and parking," she said.
Councillor Scott Munro asked whether the council could consider creating a slip lane onto the NDR for parents to exit the centre.
"I see that as a real no-brainer," he said.
Technical services director Ian Greenham said it could only happen with support from NSW Roads and Maritime Services.
"RMS have already given their feelings on this matter and they do not want a secondary access onto either the Northern Distributor Road or the Mitchell Highway," he said.
Cr Munro asked if instead, Turner Crescent could be made into a one-way street.
A deferral was proposed but councillor Russell Turner said the traffic situation would not change and the council passed the DA.
Councillor Glenn Taylor, who was absent on the night, confirmed he and councillor Jeff Whitton had co-signed a rescission motion after discussions with staff revealed alternatives could be investigated.
When the original proposal went to the NSW Land and Environment Court in 2017, Senior Commissioner Rosemary Martin said while the traffic increase would fall within the RMS guide, it was still five times current levels and would "significantly worsen" residential amenity, but felt a smaller development "might be acceptable".
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