Leading property developer Tipalea Partners has commenced construction of the $9 million Glebe Hill Childcare. Located at 21 Commerce Drive in Howrah and adjacent to its highly-successful Glebe Hill Village shopping centre, which was sold earlier this year, the 106-place childcare centre will cater to pent-up demand from families in Tasmania’s south-east.
Specialist education contractor Bennett Construction has been appointed to deliver Glebe Hill Childcare Centre, commencing work on the 2,400-square-metre greenfield site next month, with completion scheduled for April 2026.
Highly skilled in the delivery of Tasmanian education projects, Bennett Construction recently delivered Glenorchy Child & Family Centre, north of Hobart.
“We are keen to get this new childcare centre underway, leveraging our expertise in the sector to deliver this premium facility. It is great to see the sector buoyed by private development, as both public and Catholic education projects have waned in Tasmania in recent times, despite growing demand for new centres,” said Jeremy Warren, Director of Bennett Construction.
“Glebe Hill Childcare Centre is a highly technical build with high-end finishes and complex acoustic requirements. When complete, it will be a showcase in state-of-the-art early education facilities,” he said.
Tipalea Partners made its foray into childcare in response to its research into Greater Hobart’s growth areas, following the success of its Tasmanian retail developments.
“There is a significant undersupply of childcare in Tasmania’s south-east, coupled with a rapidly-growing local population of families that urgently need more childcare. With all existing centres full, locals are stuck on long waiting lists and with no option but to seek childcare in less convenient locations,” said Jack Hunter, Assistant Development Manager at Tipalea Partners.
Tipalea’s research revealed a substantial shortfall in childcare services in Howrah. With over 1,200 local children under five years of age, there are just five existing centres and a combined total of 356 licensed places. With all existing centres in the catchment at full capacity, there is a clear need for more local childcare facilities.
National childcare provider Green Leaves Early Learning has leased the new Howrah facility, expected to open in May 2026. With a national footprint of over 65 centres, Green Leaves Early Learning is known for its premium offering, with integrated programs including kindergarten/preschool, yoga, culinary classes, and sustainability education.
Aligned with its innovative retail developments, Tipalea plans to set a new standard for childcare with bespoke architectural design by award-winning firm Brown Falconer, alongside interactive public art.
“We also saw the opportunity to set a new benchmark for childcare with a premium offering. As a purpose-built facility, this brand new centre is state-of-the-art with modern architectural design, curated play areas and public art that engages with the children,” Mr Hunter said.
One area where Tipalea differentiates its centre from others is its investment in public art.
“Our design team have been working hard on public art ideas and have developed a concept called “I Hear You”, inspired by art in other public facilities around the world. It is a bright and colourful interactive sculptural form designed to enable communication between two kids,” said Mr Hunter.
According to architects Brown Falconer, Glebe Hill Childcare has been inspired by the local surroundings with its gable roof form and natural-looking materials reflecting the character of nearby homes while offering a nurturing environment for children. The design embraces a calming, residential scale, to support play, learning and growth in a setting that feels safe, familiar and connected to nature
Tipalea Partners has been investing and creating jobs in Tasmania for over 15 years and Glebe Hill Childcare marks the developer’s seventh Tasmanian project.
It commenced construction on its $50 million Spring Farm Village retail development in Kingston last month and is also developing Stony Rise Village in Devonport.
Tipalea Partners has successfully developed neighbourhood retail centres across Australia in locations such as Mackay in Queensland, Pimpama on the Gold Coast, Muswellbrook in the NSW Hunter Valley as well as Launceston and Hobart in Tasmania.
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