- Cook Government commits an additional $1.6
million for the Katanning Early Childhood Hub
- New funding brings total investment to $7.3
million and backs community-led efforts to improve access to services for
families including 67 long-daycare places
- Shire of Katanning to progress childhood hub
with support of additional funding
The Cook Government has provided an
additional $1.6 million funding boost for the Shire of Katanning to progress
the Katanning Early Childhood Hub, improving access to essential services for
families in the Great Southern town.
The
announcement was made in Katanning today by Regional Development Minister Don
Punch and Early Childhood Education Minister Sabine Winton, to support the
Shire's long-standing commitment to deliver this vital project.
The new
funding increases the State Government's total investment in the project to
$7.3 million.
The community-driven
project will consist of three integrated buildings: an early learning centre, a
family centre, and child health offices.
The Katanning Early Childhood Hub is expected to provide
the community with up to 67 long-daycare places, creating 28 jobs during
construction and 7 full-time positions once the project is complete.
The Hub is
one of 24 priority projects under the Early Years
Partnership (EYP), which is a collaboration between the State Government,
Minderoo Foundation, The Kids Research Institute Australia and the local
community.
The EYP aims
to improve the development, health and learning of children aged 0-4 years old
across its partner communities of Central Great Southern, Armadale, Derby and
Bidyadanga.
Minderoo
Foundation has invested an additional $2.2 million towards the project through
the EYP, with Lotterywest and the Shire of Katanning also making financial
contributions.
Comments attributed to Regional Development Minister Don Punch:
"Regional communities
need access to key services like those in the metropolitan area, especially in
important periods of childhood development.
"Allowing parents access
to services that help care for their children, and in some cases, head back to
work, is of such value to the community and the economy.
"Building strong regional
communities with good liveability is what this Government strives to achieve."
Comments attributed to Early Childhood
Education Minister Sabine Winton:
"Ensuring all Western Australian families have access to
high-quality early childhood education and care is a priority for the Cook Labor
Government.
"As Early Childhood Education Minister, I know families will
benefit hugely from having one location at which they can access a range of
coordinated family and child services.
"This is another fantastic example of what can be achieved
through the Early Years Partnership, which is about enabling communities to
lead their own development based on their unique needs.
"I look forward to seeing the positive impact the Katanning
Early Childhood Hub will have on the community."
Comments attributed to
Agricultural Region MLC Shelley Payne:
"The community and the
Shire of Katanning have been working diligently for many years on getting the
Hub off the ground.
"Katanning, in the heart
of the Great Southern, is an extraordinarily warm and diverse regional
community, and one with a great lifestyle for families.
"I am so pleased to see
this important project receive the support it deserves."
Comments attributed to
Minderoo Foundation founder Nicola Forrest:
"Minderoo Foundation is
pleased to partner with the State Government to support the Katanning community's
vision for an Early Childhood Hub and reaffirm our dedication to the children
and families of the Central Great Southern.
"Setting children up for
success starts before birth and parents and families need to be able to access
care and support that meets their specific needs where they are.
"Having a purpose-built
hub that becomes the focal point for the entire community to give their
children the best start to life will nurture healthier children, stronger
families and a thriving community in Katanning and surrounding communities."
