March 2004

$2 million for children’s centres

Premier Steve Bracks has announced $2 million to establish new Children’s Centres in Melbourne’s growth suburbs and country Victoria this year.

Mr Bracks said the funding boost is the first stage of a $16 million four-year program to provide 60 Children’s Centres across the State.

‘The State Government is committed to giving all children the best possible start in life and ensuring families have access to high-quality children’s services where and when they need them,’ he said.

‘This initiative will co-locate children’s services such as Maternal and Child Health Services, childcare, preschools, parenting courses and specialist services to make them easier for parents to use.

‘It will create a one-stop-shop for parents to access services for their child’s health, education and development.’

The State Government will provide seeding grants of $250,000 to eight councils in 2004 to establish these new Children’s Centres.

Visiting the Beaconsfield Community Centre Mr Bracks said the State Government had provided $768,000—with $518,000 from the Community Support Fund—to Cardinia Shire to establish a new Children’s Centre nearby.

Cardinia Shire is contributing more than $3.2 million to the cost of the project.

‘It will meet the needs of parents and children throughout this rapidly growing part of the State.

‘The new facility will replace a range of existing community infrastructure to ensure families in the area can access modern and conveniently located services for their children.’

The current occasional childcare program run in the community centre will be relocated to the centre, which will also provide a preschool, consulting rooms and a mobile library.

‘The State Government is committed to delivering a more integrated and effective system of children’s services,’ Mr Bracks said.

Community Services Minister Sherryl Garbutt said the Government’s Children’s First Policy aimed to strengthen the provision of early childhood services.

‘We are developing new and innovative ways to better meet the needs of families and ensure children reach their full potential.

‘The State Government has boosted funding in children’s services by 52 per cent and this investment is already paying dividends with preschool participation rates reaching a record high of 97.2 per cent last year,’ Ms Garbutt said.

The other successful funding applicants were Melton Shire (Hillside), Knox City (Murrindal Family Centre, Rowville), Hume City (Craigieburn), Northern Grampians (St Arnaud), Wellington Shire (Rosedale), Moonee Valley City (North Melbourne) and City of Greater Dandenong (Noble Park).