By Mitchell Clarke
A “much needed” $7.7 million specialist child and family centre in Officer South has officially broken ground, with construction now underway.
The Rix Road Integrated Child and Family Centre, which received funding from both Cardinia Shire Council and the State Government, is expected to provide more than 130 kindergarten places across three program rooms and an outdoor play space.
It will also feature five consulting rooms for maternal and child health services and two community rooms for events and classes.
Local Government Minister Shaun Leane joined MPs Harriet Shing and Jordan Crugnale, Cardinia Shire acting mayor Jeff Springfield and Officer Ward councillor Tammy Radford for a site tour on Wednesday 20 January.
Mr Leane told the Gazette the project is a “fantastic” result for the booming community.
He said Cardinia Shire Council applied for funding through the State Government, who then determined whether the project was “worthwhile, needed and in the right location”.
“As you can see this ticks all those boxes,” he said.
“I’ve had a drive around the area and this is a much-needed facility in this location. With lots of young families living out this way, it’s very, very important. It’s a fantastic project in this growing area. We’re really pleased.”
The centre, to be located on Campanella Avenue, received a total $3.5 million in State Government funding and a further $4.2 million from Cardinia Shire Council.
Newly elected Officer Ward councillor Tammy Radford said the site would be a “one-stop shop” for local families.
“It will be home to not only a kindergarten, but also provide families with access to more specialised services,” she said.
“We’re a fast-growing community, and this is just one example of the continued collaborative efforts we have with the Victorian Government to continue to improve local facilities for our communities here in the shire.”
Eastern Victoria MP Harriet Shing expects the new facility will help cater for demand and alleviate pressure of current facilities.
“The Cardinia Shire is one of the local government areas that is experiencing the biggest boom in population growth and we’re seeing a lot of young families moving to the area. They really need and deserve the right facilities and community locations that have a pride of place,” Ms Shing said.
“This is a really important investment in this growing part of the community and it will mean local families don’t have to travel nearly as far as they have been to access these services that are so important in providing, not just babies and children, but also families, with the right care and support for everyone to reach their full potential.
“This facility is one further part of the overall investment that we’re making in this shire and it complements the work we’re doing to build and upgrade schools, to make sure sporting facilities and programs are able to be better delivered and making sure that people have more of what they need closer to home.”
Bass MP Jordan Crugnale echoed the sentiment, stating it was great to see the “continued investment” into the shire.
“I can’t wait to see it up and running,” she said.
The facility is slated to be completed later this year, with the centre open in time for the beginning of the kinder year.
