A NEW childcare and maternal health centre is on the cards for Reservoir, following revelations the area is facing a shortage of services.
Darebin council last week released details of a proposed Keon Park Community Hub, which would include a kindergarten, family support and early intervention services and playgroups.
It follows the release in October of the Darebin Early Years Infrastructure Plan 2011-2031, which revealed at least nine kindergarten rooms, five maternal and child health services and 185 occasional childcare places were needed to meet demand from the area’s growing population.
Reservoir is expected to need the most investment. It requires three more kindergarten rooms.
According to demographic forecasting company forecast.id, Darebin’s population of 144,000 is expected to increase to more than 173,000 by 2031.
One of the fastest growing age groups is expected to be children aged 0–15.
Darebin group manager of community services Katrina Knox said the proposed Keon Park centre would provide a “contemporary, purpose-built facility” with a focus on improving developmental, literacy and learning outcomes for children in the northern part of Darebin.
The council has submitted an application for $1 million in state government funding. It will
also seek $2.8 million in federal funding and proposes to contribute $1 million from its own coffers, plus the land.
There are 11 community-run childcare centres and 25 kindergarten and preschools in Darebin.
