The Euroa electorate is set to miss out on new childcare facilities after the State Government announced that no further early learning centres are set to be built in the region anytime soon.
The Labor Government has been touting its plans to create 50 new government-owned and operated early education centres across the State, with 20 centres confirmed earlier in the year, and the remaining 30 announced this week.
Seymour was announced as one of the initial 20 locations earlier in the year, however, it is not set to be built until after 2028. No new centres in the region were confirmed in the most recent announcement.
Nationals Member for Euroa Annabelle Cleeland said the decision was disappointing, particularly when so many local families are unable to access childcare in the region.
“The lack of childcare options in our local towns is placing a significant hurdle in front of young people who want to raise their family in the country,” Ms Cleeland said.
“Not having facilities will have a massive impact on the town’s future – with families choosing to relocate most of their lives to bigger centres like Shepparton.
“The lack of childcare perpetuates generational disadvantage, something that is disproportionately impacting regional towns.
“The Allan Labor Government’s inability to manage money, or manage a project, is now impacting the education opportunities of our children.
“We already have extreme cost of living pressures, as well as a labour crisis –making more accessible childcare so important to ensure parents can return to work and alleviate these issues.”
Ms Cleeland had previously asked the Minister for Early Childhood and Pre-Planning to include Avenel as one of the 50 new centres.
“Avenel is a growing township, with housing developments attracting new residents, families, and businesses to the town,” Ms Cleeland said.
“Unfortunately, like many regional towns in Victoria, they have insufficient childcare facilities.
“With neighbouring towns like Nagambie also struggling with waitlists, it was imperative that Avenel were given the facilities needed to provide childcare locally to all who need it.
“It is incredibly disappointing to see them miss out on being included in this most recent announcement.”
Ms Cleeland also said the delays building a new childcare centre in Seymour were shutting out private options, as well as not-for-profits.
“While Seymour has been confirmed as a location for an early learning centre, it’s unlikely we see it built until 2030,” Ms Cleeland said.
“Unfortunately, the issue is at its peak now and young families continue to struggle as they wait for progress.
“This delayed timeline for its construction is preventing private businesses and not-for-profits from delivering alternative childcare options in the time being.”
A 2022 report from the Mitchell Institute indicated that the Euroa electorate had significant issues when it came to childcare availability and accessibility.
The Seymour region, Benalla, and Kilmore-Broadford were some of the areas struggling the most, while smaller towns such as Murchison, Rushworth, Tooborac and Redesdale had no childcare at all.
Ms Cleeland has a childcare survey open on her website and encouraged all those impacted by a lack of childcare options to participate.
