A new integrated centre for children and families is planned for Sale and is expected to provide a combined 122 new childcare and kindergarten places including multi-purpose consulting suites, meeting, and activity spaces for early childhood services and community use – bringing together early years, education, and family services under one roof.

The project is anticipated to occur in three stages:

• Stage One: Investigations, concept, and schematic design (July 2023 – March 2024)
• Stage Two: Finalise detailed design in consultation with industry stakeholders including existing early year service providers (April 2024 - December 2024)
• Stage Three: Construction (January 2025 – December 2025)

Industry Reference Group

The Sale Integrated Centre for Children and Families Industry Reference Group has been formed by Council as an unincorporated advisory group operating under these Terms of Reference.

The Industry Reference Group acts on behalf of the Wellington Shire community and is required to provide advice to Council regarding the design of the centre.

If you have any questions or would like a copy of the minutes for the Industry Reference Group Selection, please contact Wellington Shire Council’s Senior Community Facilities Projects Officer on 1300 366 244 or email natashaf@wellington.vic.gov.au.

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Sale and District Feasibility Study

Addressing ageing infrastructure for early years and community services

This feasibility study has been prompted by the increasing demand for early years services, particularly childcare. The Study considers ageing community infrastructure and ways to support early years services and broader community activity in Sale and District.

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FAQs

About the project

Wellington Shire Council is planning to build a new integrated community centre in Sale that will deliver increased child and family services. The centre is expected to provide a combined 122 new childcare and kindergarten places, multi-purpose consulting suites, meeting, and activity spaces for early childhood services and community use.

Where will the new centre be located?

The new centre for children and families will be located on Gibsons Road in Sale, adjacent to the existing Gippsland Regional Sports Complex.

Why do we need this new centre?

The centre is the first project to be planned, following the comprehensive Sale Feasibility Study completed in 2022. The Study assessed the demand for early years services, particularly childcare and considered ways to address ageing community infrastructure that will support early years and broader community activity within the Sale District. Significant population growth and the need for better early years’ services in Sale uncovered that there is both a current and future shortfall in the number of licenced places for kindergarten and childcare in the region. It is obvious that the demand for childcare is too high, with childcare services in Sale having extensive waiting lists.

The future of kindergarten in Victoria

In 2023, the Victorian Government introduced a new free kindergarten initiative providing 15 hours of free 3 and 4-year-old kindergarten per week. By 2032, 4-year-old kindergarten will be increased to 30 hours per week – resulting in higher demand for kindergarten places throughout Wellington Shire.

Who will manage the centre?

Wellington Shire Council will engage in a transparent process to determine a suitable management model for the facility.

Estimated project timeline

• 2023 – Project announcement and tender awarded for concept, schematic and detailed design in consultation with industry stakeholders including existing early year service providers
• 2024 – Design finalisation and tender awarded for build
• 2025 – Construction build (12 months)
• 2026 – New centre opens early to mid-2026

Estimated cost for project

The total project is estimated to cost just over $12.8 million, with the concept, schematic and detailed designs to be used to attract external funding opportunities and secure construction of the centre.

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