A NORTHERN focus pledge for the Loddon Shire’s next child care centre has stirred southern anger.
Inglewood Development and Tourism says it will write to Mayor Dan Straub and the council to push the case for child care in the shire’s south.
“We made our disappointment known to Inglewood Ward councillor Miki Wilson that the Loddon Shire Mayor was in Canberra recently meeting with the Minister for Early Childhood Education’s office pushing for child care specifically in the north of the shire because the south of the shire will be serviced by the new Wedderburn Early Learning Centre,” the committee said in a statement after its meeting last week
“We all know the Wedderburn facility is not an option for residents in Inglewood, Serpentine, Bridgewater and other areas further south.”
Cr Wilson said on Monday that she was organising a meeting with the committee and Cr Straub.
A community campaign by mothers and Wedderburn College saw the State Government commit to ending the shire’s child care desert status during the 2022 election campaign. An early learning centre will open in Wedderburn next year.
The Federal Government made an election eve commitment in May of $5 million towards child care in the Loddon Shire.
Early Childhood Education Minister Jess Walsh later confirmed funding would be honoured and her office repeated the commitment during a meeting with Cr Straub in Canberra last month.
“During the meeting with the Minister’s advisors, we’ve confirmed that we have that $5 million to spend on child care in Loddon and we’ll keep working with the department and the ministers to make sure something’s delivered for our community,” Cr Straub said.
“We’ve promoted our position that we’re looking for child care in the north of the shire, that’s been a position of Loddon in recent years, the studies show we need child care in the north which is a child care desert.”
However, Inglewood Development and Tourism Committee wants care services for Loddon families who may travel to Bendigo for employment.
“.(The community bank) have put up $250,000 to show how serious they are about getting a child care option in Inglewood or Bridgewater,” the committee said.
The bank has commissioned consultant Wendy Holland to complete a feasibility  study.
Part of her work includes a survey of families in Inglewood, Bridgewater, Serpentine and Tarnagulla districts that officially closed on Tuesday.
“ Even if you no longer have kids in that age range, or if you are a grandparent supporting your children to work by looking after grandkids, or you are not currently working because you are looking after young kids, fill in the survey,” the development committee urged.
Shire chief executive officer Lincoln Fitzgerald said: “Loddon Shire Council’s adopted priorities document outlines that council is advocating for long day care in the northern part of the municipality where there is currently no provision. 
“Council continues to advocate for a rural funding model which recognises lower density of population in rural areas and creates a sustainable delivery model,” Mr Fitzgerald said.