A Woden childcare centre fears its future could be in jeopardy if a planned apartment complex rising up 26 storeys is built next door.
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Woden Early Childhood Centre has lodged a formal objection to developer Hindmarsh's plans to transform land at the corner of Easty Street and Wilbow Street with 445 homes.
The $132 million development would include a 25 and a 26-storey tower - the tallest residential buildings south of the lake - as well as a 12-storey block and a row of townhouses.
The centre's longtime director, Reesha Stefek, said the developer's proposal would present problems during the construction phase, and once it was built.
During construction, the childcare centre's carpark and drop off point would become an access road for trucks moving in and out of the site, according to plans submitted to the ACT Planning and Land Authority.
Ms Stefek said that would inconvenience parents and cause disturbances for children, who spent 70 per of their day outside - including for playing, eating and sleeping.
"With the noise level, we would have to rethink whether or not it is safe for them to sleep outside," Ms Stefek said.
"That impacts on our core philosophy. It is devastating, I'm really heartbroken. I went to Scotland in 2011 to do a nature study tour and that was all about children in nature.
"When we came back and we did things like sleeping outdoors. It is everything I believe in, and I've embedded it into the centre.
"I always want the best for my children ... and these are my children. I want them to have that relaxed environment that they can enjoy rather than all of the dust and the noise."
Ms Stefak was worried that the visibility of the centre would be restricted during the construction phase, making it hard to appeal to new customers in an increasingly competitive market.
"We have a good reputation but that only takes you so far," she said.
Hindmarsh's ACT state development manager, Greg Smith, said the developer was "very sympathetic" to the childcare centre's situation.
Mr Smith said it had offered to lease carparks nearby the centre for staff and parents to use. Once the complex was built, it would offer free 20 minute parking on the groundfloor to allow parents to drop off their children.
Asked if the developer would consider adjusting the hours of construction work to avoid disturbing the children's nap times, Mr Smith it was not viable.
Consultation on the proposal closes on Friday.
Dan Jervis-Bardy
Dan covers federal politics from Parliament House, with a special focus on climate policy and the NDIS. He has previously reported on ACT politics and urban affairs since joining the Canberra Times in 2018.
Dan covers federal politics from Parliament House, with a special focus on climate policy and the NDIS. He has previously reported on ACT politics and urban affairs since joining the Canberra Times in 2018.
