General News
30 October, 2022
No word on child care site
A POSSIBLE Loddon location for one of 50 co-located State Government child care centres is still waiting to hear if it will be part of the rollout announced in June. Wedderburn has been touted as a possible site with the Loddon Shire Victoria’s...
A POSSIBLE Loddon location for one of 50 co-located State Government child care centres is still waiting to hear if it will be part of the rollout announced in June.
Wedderburn has been touted as a possible site with the Loddon Shire Victoria’s only 100 per cent child care desert.
The Government said centres would be located in areas with the greatest unmet demand and informed by the “child care deserts” work from the Mitchell Institute, with the first centres opening from 2025.
Co-location with schools was suggested when Premier Daniel Andrews made the announcement but Wedderburn College principal Danny Forrest said there had been no contact with the school.
“Our community and every community in Loddon is still without any child care options. The problem has not gone away and we’re all still wanting solutions almost 18 months after our campaign for action started,” he said.
Ripon MP and Liberal candidate at next month’s state Louise Staley has already announced a Coalition government would find funds for a co-located child care centre in the $12.9 million allocated in this year’s Budget to upgrade Wedderburn College.
“Loddon communities have been waiting long enough for solutions and access to child care” she said.
“Why make them wait another three years when there is a way now to begin helping local families.”
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