Hub just months away

By Casey Neill
UPWEY’S $7.49 million children’s hub is just months from becoming a reality, following a half-million dollar State Government grant.
Victorian Children and Early Childhood Minister Maxine Morand announced the cash last Tuesday (17 March) during a visit to Sherbrooke Children’s Centre in Upwey.
It was part of a $43 million pledge to build 95 children’s centres across Victoria.
Lyster Ward councillor Samantha Dunn was “over the moon”.
“I’m beside myself with joy about it,” she said.
In 2004 the council of the day announced it planned close the centre within five years.
“So it was a rather wonderful irony to be standing there in 2009 with this announcement,” Cr Dunn said.
The new hub will house preschool, long day and occasional care, maternal, child health and family support services, and a multi-purpose community space.
The existing Upwey hall will also be revamped.
“What it means is access to the highest quality community based care there is and a service model where families don’t have to travel to multiple sites to get what they need for their children,” Cr Dunn said.
Cr Dunn said construction would begin this year, and the centre would open in 2010.
Early Childhood Education and Childcare parliamentary secretary Maxine McKew revealed the Federal Government contribution to the hub would be $1.6 million.
The government pledged funds for the project in May last year as part of a $114 million commitment to early learning and care centres, but had not disclosed the exact figure.
The shire committed $500,000 in its 2008-09 budget to kick start the project’s consultation and design process, and a further $5.3 million in its 2009-10 draft budget to construct the centre.
“We always knew that an integrated model was the absolute best outcome for the children and the fact that three tiers of government support that really vindicates that position,” Cr Dunn said.
The shire will submit a planning application for the project this month.
A detailed design and tendering process will begin once a permit is issued.