Child care confirmation expected later this year

DETAILS of the next 10 State Government child care centres will be announced later this year, Ripon MP Martha Haylett said after meeting with Wedderburn mothers last week.

The Government last November announced a Loddon Shire centre would be in the second tranche of 50 centres and have an expected 2026 opening.

Ms Haylett said it was expected locations for the second tranche “will be announced late in 2023 following detailed analysis of site options and engagement with schools and other local stakeholders”.

“I will fight to see the new government-run child care facility in the Loddon Shire delivered in the next rollout of centres,” she said.

“So many local parents have told me about the extraordinary measures being taken so that children are looked after without access to child care.”

“I heard stories of mums working through the night so that they can keep their businesses running, parents relying on elderly grandparents and even greatgrandparents for help, and children being taken into workplaces because there was no other option.”

Ms Haylett said there was concern with what happens between now and the centre opening.,

“I am now chasing up with the department to see what options may be available, noting we’ve entered into a space traditionally led by the Federal Government,” she said.

Loddon parents have been campaigning for a centre with the shire without any care places, according to a Mitchell Institute report last year.