Council & Business
2 October, 2023
Council endorses major change up to kindergartens to address “high levels” of unmet need
A masterplan proposing to decommission and relocate two Maryborough kindergartens has been endorsed by the Central Goldfields Shire Council, which is also backing a brand-new, centrally located kindergarten, long day care and family and community...
A masterplan proposing to decommission and relocate two Maryborough kindergartens has been endorsed by the Central Goldfields Shire Council, which is also backing a brand-new, centrally located kindergarten, long day care and family and community services facility.
Councillors moved unanimously at last week’s ordinary council meeting to endorse the Central Goldfields Early Years Infrastructure Masterplan and investigate an appropriate location for the new integrated hub.
Developed over an eight-month period, the masterplan highlights the “high level of unmet need of children and families and the gap in accessible health and support services” in the shire, the report states.
The masterplan recommends a “hub and spoke” model to respond to this finding, suggesting a newly developed centrally located integrated hub providing a one stop shop for families seeking support, information, social connection, maternal and child health, allied health, childcare, kinder and other services.
The masterplan further recommends a series of spoke sites across the shire offering a minimum of two kinder rooms with space for allied health or visiting services — meaning some existing kinders will be upgraded, while others in poor condition are recommended to be decommissioned.
Presenting four possible scenarios, the masterplan recommended scenario four be pursued — which would see Dunolly and Back Creek kinders renewed as well as AG Leech which would also be upgraded.
The scenario also recommends Californian Gully and T L Stone Memorial kindergartens be decommissioned and relocated to new sites, with the existing sites to be sold.
The capital cost of this, according to the masterplan, comes in at $22.4 million — factoring in upgrades to existing facilities, as well as the purchase of three sites (yet to be determined) for the new Californian Gully and T L Stone kinders as well as the central hub.
The report highlights that while the new kindergartens are being constructed, the existing facilities would remain in operation so as not to disrupt services.
Speaking during the council meeting, councillor Chris Meddows-Taylor said the masterplan was a “much needed development” in the early years space.
“What this masterplan does is recognise that we need to provide that connected hub approach in relation to infrastructure,” he said.
“It sets out a detailed and comprehensive plan to do just that. This is a much needed development, it’s an extension of all the good work done by Go Goldfields and importantly, it is the critical next step of delivering support for the early years.
“There are some issues to be decided with site locations and funding, but with this masterplan as the basis I have no doubt the right decisions will follow and council will champion this.”
Scenario four, as set out in the masterplan, means the shire would meet the Kinder Infrastructure Service Planning (KISP) requirements laid out by the Victorian Government, providing 291 early years places by 2029 and enabling further growth moving forward.
The report tabled to council also highlights that a new kindergarten site at Carisbrook was considered, however due to the proximity of Maryborough it was not a recommendation of the masterplan.
Early years education providers, primary school principals and early years practitioners. An advisory committee with representatives from the Maryborough District Health Service, Goldfields Family
Centre, Roseberry House, Department of Education, local primary schools and others provided feedback on the masterplan.
Councillor Liesbeth Long, who is also a qualified early childhood educator, said the masterplan would set the shire up for years to come.
“I know just how important early childhood education is to young people in our shire,” she said.
“This report is super exciting, it really sets up the shire for the coming years and there will be many exciting outcomes.”