Funding setback puts children and families centre on hold

Wellington Shire Council has confirmed that its applications for State and Federal Government funding for the proposed Sale Integrated Centre for Children and Families have been unsuccessful.

The centre, planned for Gibsons Road in Sale, was identified as a priority project in Council’s Early Years Infrastructure Plan and supported by a 2022 feasibility study highlighting future demand for early years services.

Council had secured $150,000 from the Victorian Government’s Building Blocks Planning Grant Program to develop detailed designs for the centre. The proposed facility aimed to co-locate kindergarten, childcare, maternal and child health, and support services in a central, accessible location to support families, particularly those in Sale and surrounding communities.

Council subsequently applied for $4.5 million through the State Government’s Capacity Building Stream and $3.5 million through the Federal Government’s Growing Regions program to support construction. Both applications were unsuccessful, with the State Government advising that the proposal did not meet current demand criteria under the Best Start, Best Life reforms.

As a result, the project is now on hold, and Council will redirect the allocated funds in its 2025/26 budget to other community priorities.

Wellington Shire Council Mayor Cr Scott Rossetti acknowledged the result was disappointing but thanked all those who contributed to the planning and design process.

“This project was shaped by input from our community and sector partners. While we’re disappointed by the outcome, we remain committed to exploring ways to support local families’ access to early years services,” Cr Rossetti said.

Council will revisit the project at a future date, as part of a broader review of early years infrastructure needs across the Shire.

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