Early Years Hub opens

By Lachlan Ellis

A new hub catering for the growing Maddingley community was officially opened this month, with families joining the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Mayor Cr Ally Munari joined Member for Eureka Michaela Settle, and fellow Moorabool Shire Councillors Moira Berry and Tonia Dudzik, to celebrate the opening of the $9.2 million West Maddingley Early Years and Community Hub on Thursday 14 December.

Supported by $3.5 million from the State Government’s Growing Suburbs Fund, and $4.6 million from the Building Blocks Grants program, the facility will offer 3 and 4-year-old kinder, maternal and child health services, spaces for playgroups, community rooms, and indoor and outdoor play spaces.

Cr Munari thanked Ms Settle and the State Government for their support for the rapidly growing area, which has seen an influx of young families in recent years.

“With the increasing population, early childhood sector reforms, and current infrastructure in Bacchus Marsh reaching capacity, the construction of this new facility ensures that the children, young people, and families of the Shire, have access to important early years programs,” Cr Munari said.

“This will allow us to co-locate services, which will offer our community the best possible start, now and in the future. We are incredibly thankful to the State Government for the funding contributions from the Growing Suburbs Fund and the Building Blocks fund, which along with Council’s contribution, has resulted in the construction of this fantastic building.”

Ms Settle said the completion of the hub was another chapter in the strong relationship between Council and the State Government.

“Often in Government you’re battling to try and keep ahead of the curve, and what I love about this centre is that we’re right there, as West Maddingley is growing, we’ve been able to work with Council to provide this extraordinary facility, for all those communities that are moving into West Maddingley,” she said.

“We know kindergartens are an incredibly important part of children’s lives and their learning, and this Government is absolutely committed through our Better Start Program to ensure kids have an opportunity to come to kinder. There is already the possibly of five hours [a week] for 3-year-old kinder, and we’re extending that by 2029 for 4-year-old kinder.”

The West Maddingley Early Years and Community Hub is set to fully open for kindergarten programs and playgroups in early 2024.