Childcare centre closure angers locals

Many Bondi locals opposed to the proposed Benevolent Society development on Ocean Street have also spoken out against the decision to close the Maurice O’Sullivan childcare centre at end of the year.

Penny Beitzel, president of the P&C at Bondi Public School said it made no sense to close the centre while Waverley was experiencing a baby boom.
‘I would like to think that on land donated to a charity there is room for a childcare centre,’ she said.
‘I’m angry that the centre has been taken away for a 10-storey development. Surely in that extraordinary space there is room to service the needs of the community.
‘The council is ready, willing and able to run a childcare centre if the facility were available. I know they are looking for a site.’

Waverley Mayor Ingrid Stewe agreed, saying there had been a 16 per cent increase in under 4-year-olds in the Waverley area and the numbers were growing every year.

Ms Beitzel said of the Benevolent Society proposal: ‘There is more spin on this than Shane Warne in a tumble dryer.’