Apollo Bay Early Years Hub Development Progress
April 27, 2021
Colac Otway Shire Council has taken the next step to secure vital children’s services for the Apollo Bay community.
Colac Otway Mayor Cr Kate Hanson said signing agreements for the development and lease of an Early Years Hub was important for the growing community’s future, particularly for young families in the area.
“Council has been aware of the need to find a new kindergarten facility and permanent base for Maternal & Child Services for several years, and the creation of an Early Years Hub at the school will be fantastic for families,” Cr Hanson said.
“Council has been working in partnership with the Victorian School Building Authority (VSBA) to develop a new 66-place, two-room kindergarten facility and Maternal & Child Health consulting space to be located on the Apollo Bay P-12 College site.”
The VSBA under the State Government’s Kindergartens on School Sites (KOSS) initiative is overseeing the construction of the facility.
The kindergarten build is being funded under the KOSS program, which aims to establish early childhood facilities on government school sites, making it easier for families to access early childhood facilities and providing children with a more stable transition from kinder to school.
Council formally agreed to endorse the Development Agreement with the Department of Education and Training for the construction of the Apollo Bay Early Years Hub.
As part of the Development Agreement, Council has also agreed to contribute up to $354,000 towards the Maternal and Child Health component of the build, which is included in the 2020/21 budget.
Council believes this provides very good value for our investment.
Council has also endorsed a lease agreement with DET for Council to provide kindergarten and M&CH services for a minimum of 20 years, with an additional two 10-year terms.
Council will be able to gain permission from the State Government to appoint a suitably qualified operator to manage the kindergarten and early-years service on behalf of Council.
Permitted uses of the hub will include children’s services, M&CH, long day care, before and after-school childcare, complementary family and community-based services, occasional childcare, supported playgroups, childhood intervention services and toy library.
Council Enquiries
(03) 5232 9400