Politics & Council
30 November, 2025
Shire backs Wilson in upping child care ante
PROVIDE child care where it is needed in Loddon communities.
That will be the shire council’s message to political parties and candiates at the next state election in 366 days.
Couuncillors on Tuesday supported a motion from Inglewood Ward’s Cr Miki Wilson to have child care on the agenda when the shire begins its advocacy on local issues.
The new stance is a step up in the previous state and federal election wishlists that called on governments to adopt a funding model appropriate for rural communities.
Cr Wilson’s move comes as Inglewood and Districts Community Bank prepares to release its feasibility study on the need for child care in the shire’s southern catchment - Inglewood, Bridgewater, Serpentine, Tarnagulla and Newbridge.
The Loddon Herald understands the community bank and its consultant Wendy Holland have put finishing touches to the report this week.
A 2020 study by Loddon Shire identified Inglewood and Boort as locations for centres to bring the shire out of a child care desert.
The State Government and the Coalition both backed a strong community campaign in Wedderburn ahead of the 2022 Victorian election and the Government has since started building a centre co-located at Wedderburn College that will open in February.
A Federal Government election-eve commitment saw $5 million pledged for child care in the shire. Mayor Dan Straub pushed for funding to be allocated to Boort when he visited Canberra after the election and Boort mothers have started campaigning for access to child care.
Cr Wilson said it was not council’s call on where child care centres were located but said there was a need across local communities and any available funding should be shared where care places were needed.
“I understand that one of the key driving forces for urging advocacy for the funding to the north (Boort) is to support employment at the Boort hospital, an important imperative,” she said in the motion.
“A key driving force behind the need for childcare in the Inglewood district catchment area that has been identified is the impact of not having child care for this recognised growth area of the shire and the impact it will potentially have on early childhood development.”
Cr Wilson said the shire’s own Unlocking Loddon’s Growth Potential’ report last year identified opportunities for residential development in the shire’s towns.
“The report highlighted Bridgewater and Inglewood as key potential growth areas due to their proximity to Bendigo,” she said.
“Council-led advocacy to Federal and State Governments is a vital tool for building awareness and support for matters that impact our shire and to help secure the essential funding necessary to drive change and deliver on priorities/advocacy matters that benefit our community.”
Cr David Weaver, who second ed the motion, said: “It is important we are united (in advocacy).
“All kids need child care,” Cr Weaver said.
Read More: Inglewood, Bridgewater, Newbridge, Tarnagulla, Serpentine, Berrimal, Boort