Members Statement - Port Phillip Childcare Petition

MEMBERS STATEMENT

‘PORT PHILLIP CHILDCARE PETITION’.

Thursday, 7 April 2022.

Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (9:55):

My community has spoken out loudly and said that it supports community-run childcare in the Port Phillip municipality.

Disturbingly, three centres in Port Phillip are under threat of closure, the Eildon Road Children’s Centre in St Kilda, Elwood Children’s Centre in Elwood and The Avenue Children’s Centre and Kindergarten in Balaclava.

The centres are operated from aged Council-owned buildings which require significant maintenance and upgrades—upgrades the council cannot afford without State support.

Yesterday representatives and parents from the centres presented Port Phillip Councillors with a petition calling on the Council to not sell their centres. It has been signed by 3,200 people.

It shows loud and clear that my community supports the centres.

The Council needs financial support from the Labor Government. Labor needs to step up, do the right thing and provide support.