Our Council last night decided against selling three community-run early years education and care centres, subject to finalisation of funding arrangements.
This follows community consultation about the future of these centres – at 17 Eildon Road, St Kilda, 37 The Avenue, Balaclava, and 46 Tennyson Street Elwood – including with their operators.
Under the resolution, Council will seek to rebuild or renovate these centres if this funding is received.
Council Officers have been discussing options for funding support with the Victorian and Australian Governments for major upgrades to our Council’s childcare centre portfolio. While these confidential discussions are still underway, we have released this update for transparency.
We can report there have been productive conversations with the Victorian Department of Education and Training about long-term early childhood infrastructure needs across our City, including at those three centres. Discussions with the Department about potential co-funding arrangements under the Building Blocks Partnership program are progressing well.
We remain committed to continuing to invest in infrastructure across Port Phillip and would welcome opportunities to partner with the Victorian and Australian Governments in this. This is consistent with our Council’s long history of providing and supporting early childhood learning and care. We own 17 facilities which provide over a third of our City’s licenced childcare places.
We want to acknowledge the significant community interest in the future of these centres and thank everyone who provided feedback for us to consider.
