MEDIA RELEASE

IMMEDIATE RELEASE

29 November 2021

Crystal Brook Childcare Needs

In a region which is struggling to find skilled workers amongst expanded employment opportunities, the Mid North is in desperate need of strategically developed childcare centres and would benefit from the establishment of a facility at Crystal Brook, Member for Frome Geoff Brock MP said this week.

Crystal Brook has been without a childcare service since 2017 and a recent survey, with more than 100 responses, has supported growth modelling for a centre for up to 50 children from birth to five years, as well as a flexible space for about 20 out of school hours care places.

“Childcare facilities would assist regional parents to return to their careers and support the local economy through employment and growth,” Mr Brock said.

“The community is now looking to the State Government for critical funding to build a childcare centre for the people of Crystal Brook and surrounding locations.”

Mr Brock said there was evidence to show that a centre would be financially viable once it was built, but government funding was needed to bring the project to fruition.

“It has been estimated the building of a new childcare centre would cost about $1.1 million plus the cost of land,” he said.

“We talk a lot about the shortage of skilled workers to fill a range of roles in our region and that this is detrimental to growth and development, so now we need the State Government to commit to funding which will take the pressure off and drive our rural and regional economy.”

Mr Brock said families were unfairly disadvantaged by either being unable to apply for work or by spending hours of travel time each week taking children to facilities outside where they lived.

”I am asking the State Government to consider the long term economic development gain by providing appropriate funding for a Childcare Centre in Crystal Brook to be treated as a matter of urgency,” Mr Brock said.

ENDS