Pollution at Planned Childcare Centre Found to Be Double Safe Levels

🚦 Pollution at Planned Childcare Centre Found to Be Double Safe Levels

When choosing childcare in Karrinyup, many families focus on learning programs — but the location of a centre and the air children breathe each day can be just as important.

The Age, June 24, 2021 reported that air pollution levels were found to be double the acceptable rate outside a planned childcare centre in Melbourne’s inner west.

The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) monitored a corner of Williamstown Road and Francis Street, Yarraville — a truck-heavy route near the Port of Melbourne — and found:

  • Air quality breached state standards on 39 days in one year.

  • The annual average level of fine particles (PM2.5) was almost double the EPA’s safe limit.

  • Children exposed at the proposed centre would face a 60% higher risk of developing asthma.

Experts warned that children are particularly vulnerable to traffic pollution because their lungs are still developing. They called for urgent reforms to planning rules and truck emissions.

🌞 What This Means for Families

The findings highlight a serious issue: childcare centres built near heavy truck routes or major roads can expose children to dangerous levels of pollution. While some councils encourage centres to be placed on arterial roads, this can put children’s health at risk.

Internationally, stricter standards already exist — in California, for example, schools cannot be built within 150 metres of major roads. Australia has yet to adopt these protections.

🌳 The Karrinyup Difference

At Karrinyup Early Learning Centre, families can feel confident their children are cared for in a quiet location away from busy roads. Our children play in large natural gardens, surrounded by sunshine and fresh air — not on rooftops above traffic fumes.

As we approach our 10-year anniversary, we’re proud to remain a boutique, community-based service where children can breathe easy, explore freely, and thrive.

📌 Takeaway for Parents

When visiting a childcare centre, ask:

  • How close is this centre to a main road or truck route?

  • Will my child be breathing fresh air in a real garden, or exhaust fumes from heavy traffic?

At Karrinyup ELC, the answer is simple: children enjoy clean air, natural play spaces, and safe design every day.

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