Sydney Developer Adds Second Childcare Centre to Tas Plans

Developer Tipalea Partners is readying its second daycare centre in Hobart as it continues its Apple Isle focus.

The developer plans to file a DA with the Sorrell Council before the end of the month for its planned centre that it said would cater to pent-up demand for childcare in Tasmania’s capital.

The 110-place centre is planned for a site at the junction of the Tasman and Arthur highways, 25km north-east of Hobart, and would, Tipalea said, “set a new standard for childcare with bespoke architectural design by award-winning firm Brown Falconer and interactive public art”.

The proposed plans include a full-service kitchen and almost 1000sq m of dedicated outdoor play space.

The site is close to the Sorell Primary School as well as Sorell’s Coles and Woolworths shopping centres.

Pending DA approval, construction on Sorell Childcare is expected to begin this year, with the centre expected to welcome its first placements in late 2025.

This is Tipalea’s second childcare project in Tasmania— its 116-place daycare centre near its Glebe Hill Village shopping centre in Howrah has won DA approval while it also has two retail projects under way at Kingston and Devonport.

Research revealed growing demand for quality long daycare facilities in south-east Tasmania, the Sydney-based developer said.

“With only 309 daycare places available in the Sorell and Dodges Ferry region, despite a population of 968 children under five years of age, estimated occupancy rates have surged to over 90 per cent and sit well above the Tasmanian average.

“Demand for childcare in Sorell is also tipped to rise in line with the increasing local population as several new residential estates near completion, including Pawleena Park and Sorell Estate.

“The community is expected to grow by more than 10 per cent by 2028, representing an increase of more than 2200 people.”