Benevolent Society development adds to preschool pressures

Commenting on a story of page 8 of today’s Sydney Morning Herald, Dr Kaye said: “Waverley municipality is in the midst of a baby boom. Between 2001 and 2006, the under five population grew by a massive 15%.

“Existing childcare centres are bursting at the seams and waiting lists are impossibly long.

“This is a lousy time to reduce the availability of early childhood education in Sydney’s east.

“No one is asking the Benevolent Society to lose money on the deal. All the community wants is for the redevelopment to leave a little space for the kids.

“Everyone would be happy for another not-for-profit provider to lease space in the Benevolent Society’s new development of their Ocean St Bondi site.

“It’d be a good match with the older people they want to put on the site and it would be a huge benefit to local families.

“Building high-end luxury accommodation for the mature aged might look like a good way to maximise the Society’s return on the site but it’s a kick in the guts to the local community.

“It’s hard to understand how the Benevolent Society is going to realise their dream of making a fortune on the site.

“While Maurice O’Sullivan might not be big money spinner, their redevelopment plans are a high risk  investment into an over-supplied market.

“The Society’s finances are their business but it would be a tragedy if a crucial facility like Maurice O’Sullivan were lost and the Benevolent Society ended up with empty luxury apartments.

“The Benevolent Society is risking its reputation with the local community in return for a redevelopment that could become a white elephant,” Dr Kaye said.

For more information:    John Kaye 0407 195 455