General News
22 April, 2026
Three big issues: Weaver solution
CHILDCARE and housing shortages in northern Loddon communities could be solved under a proposal ward councillor David Weaver wants residents to consider.
CHILDCARE and housing shortages in northern Loddon communities could be solved under a proposal ward councillor David Weaver wants residents to consider.
And under Cr Weaver’s vision, his three-point plan would also pave the way for an Aboriginal cultural centre and an economic lift for the town’s existing businesses.
“We are in desperate need of child care and there’s an equal need for housing to accommodate people moving into town for employment,” he said.
“We need investment and vision from higher levels of government to make this possible.”
Cr Weaver said the town’s existing preschool centre could be relocated to Boort District School land and incorporate child care while the former school site, sitting vacant for decades, should be turned over for residential development.
“The current kindergarten and adjoining buildings could be redeveloped into an Aboriginal cultural heritage in the centre of town,” Cr Weaver said.
“Having any centre in Godfrey Street would provide a potential economic boost for existing businesses and that can only be good for the town.
“There has been suggestions that a cultural centre be built at Lake Boort but I am concerned that any commercial cafes a few kilometres out of town may actually be detrimental to the shops in our main street and that visitors would not venture into town.” he said.
Cr Weaver said the three-point proposal could emerge as a winning approach for Boort.
“We know that childcare is the most important need for the future of our town and district, creating a contemporary and family-supportive framework for the town and making the most important investment anyone can make, in our next generations,” he said.
“I’ve said it before but governments are imposing renewable energy developments on our region, looking to take more water away from farmers, not fixing our roads.
“Here’s a chance for governments to actually give country communities what they need.”
The former school site in King Street remains government land.
The Department of Transport and Planning manages the sale of all surplus government land including former school sites in accordance with land policy.
The Victorian School Building Authority maintains the surplus site vacated by Boort District School.
Cr Weaver said release of the site for housing development would help address demand for accommodation in the town.
“The three-point plan is not simplistic. It just looks at available land options and how what we already have can be better used to address challenges,” he said.
Cr Weaver said while Federal Government funds originally announced as being for more Loddon childcare has since been used by the State Government to pay for the centre it built at Wedderburn, Loddon communities in the north and south still had a need for childcare. “Here’s a chance for governments to be serious about helping us.”
Read More: Loddon Shire