PLANS for a new kindergarten and maternal health centre at Koondrook have been stalled, with key stakeholders unable to agree on a suitable location for the proposed facility.
While Gannawarra Shire Council has applied for State Government funding to build a one-room modular kindergarten at the school site to cater for increased demand and growth within the town, the grant application has been placed on hold while site options are considered.
Council’s community wellbeing director Stacy Williams said there had been a significant increase in the demand for four-year-old kindergarten in the Koondrook community over the past three years.
The rollout of the State Government’s three-year-old kindergarten program has also placed extra strain on available places.
“The increased demand for four-year-old kindergarten and the new and exciting three-year-old program means that we need more space and days to ensure that we can meet this growing demand,” Ms Williams said.
“We do have some families who are on a waiting list for services and others who have chosen to access services in other locations.”
Koondrook School Council president Steve Ralston said time was of the essence, with a new building desperately needed to accommodate the town’s youngsters.
While a proposed site at the front of the school has been earmarked by the State Government for the new facility, Mr Ralston said it was not suitable as it compromised existing structures and shade.
“There will be significantly less shade and some of the big Gum Trees would have to go,” he said, adding this option would also result in losing some sheds which the school had fundraised for.
Community consultation was held on March 29 and a site meeting with State Government officials took place last month but key stakeholders are no closer to finding a solution.
While the Department of Education and Training is aware the school’s preferred site for the kindergarten would require a lease or transfer of Crown land which is currently under Parks Victoria management, consultation with traditional owners determined this was not supported.
However, Mr Ralston fears disagreements surrounding the location of the new facility is holding up the process and disadvantaging local children.
“We are already at capacity for our four-year-old kinder and have been for a couple of years now,” Mr Ralston said.
“Our three-year-olds are missing out. We all want it built, just not at that spot.”
The Victorian School Building Authority and Department of Education and Training said it would continue to work with the community to investigate appropriate site options.
“The Department is exploring site options and is continuing to work with the community on the delivery of a modular kindergarten that will best service families in the Koondrook area,” a Department of Education and Training spokesperson said.
A timeline for the project will be determined once an appropriate site is confirmed.
