April 4, 2011
Delivery of childcare services in Yarram has taken a step forward with Wellington Shire Council committed to developing a detailed feasibility study that can be used to lobby the State and Federal governments for funding.
The Shire is keen to work in consultation with the Yarram and district community to redevelop its existing Grant St site for the delivery of an expanded range of services.
It’s expected that the new centre would include child care services, expanded library facilities and community meeting spaces.
Other services such as maternal and child health services, consulting rooms for visiting specialists or a heated program pool for rehabilitation and learn-to-swim classes will be considered as part of the feasibility study which will be funded by the Shire.
The Nationals Member for Gippsland Darren Chester met with the project group this week and commended the Shire for moving the project forward. He urged local families to become involved in the consultation process.
“It’s important that the local community has its say during the process and is part of the discussion about the services that will be offered,” Mr Chester said.
“In terms of child care services, it has been a frustrating wait for many families and I believe it’s holding back the economic development of Yarram.
“Once a concept has been developed, it will allow both myself and State MP Peter Ryan to support applications for funding. We are both keen to see child care services in Yarram and as part of a community services hub it can provide an expanded range of benefits to families.”
Mr Chester said he would continue to raise the need for child care in Yarram when Parliament resumes and called on local families to write to him, if they have faced difficulties because of the lack of services.
“It’s the best way to keep this issue in front of the Minister,” Mr Chester said.
“Anyone who has been unable to go to work because they can’t access child care, or people who have had to travel to other towns to access services – I urge you to put your circumstances in writing so I can forward your letters to the Minister,” Mr Chester said.
“I would also urge business owners who have had trouble recruiting staff, or who have staff unable to work on school holidays to contact me, so that we make sure the Minister is well aware of the difficulties this is causing in an economic sense.
“The information will help to develop the case for Federal funding for the new community centre once the feasibility study has been completed and final plans are developed.”