A childcare facility was proposed for the popular inner-city neighbourhood of Newtown. Dickson Rothschild become involved when Nigel Dickson was engaged as Expert Witness at Land and Environment Court. With the Dickson Rothschild team of Architects and Planners the development was amended and turned around to become a delightful community use that fits seamlessly into a heritage streetscape while meeting all concerns typical of a childcare centre in a dense setting.

The layout and detailing of indoor and outdoor play areas was particularly sensitive because there were six direct residential neighbours adjoining the site where potential noise, overshadowing and visual impacts may arise. Other design elements – such as forgoing car parking and drop off zones for walk-in and bike drop offs – helped the Munni Street Childcare to better meet the fabric of the street and the fit of the community. The application was resolved at Section 34 mediation, saving the time and money that would have been required to go to a full court hearing.