Family hub on its way to Officer

Timbertop estate in Officer.

By Mitchell Clarke

Construction on a $4 million early learning centre in the heart of an Officer estate will begin next month.

A contract was officially awarded to build the Timbertop Early Learning Centre, located within the Timbertop estate, during Cardinia Shire Council’s February meeting.

Officer Ward councillor Tammy Radford said the “very exciting” development was critically important for the booming community, which is made up of many young families.

The centre will hold two kindergarten program rooms, three consulting rooms for Maternal Child Health nurses and allied health professionals, as well as a community room, staff room, amenities and outdoor play areas.

Cr Radford said Officer residents had long been struggling to access the services within these facilities.

“Many residents have had to go out of their Ward, out of the Shire even, to get to these services, so (this is) needed for this growing Officer Ward,” she said.

“I am sure there will be many young families in our local area looking forward to this exciting new hub for kindergarten, early learning and care services for young children and their families.”

The new centre will be located next to the newly-opened Orchard Park Primary School.

Cr Radford said the development will “deliver on one of the final key pieces of community infrastructure in the Timbertop estate”.

“I’d like to refer to it as a one-stop shop for families. It’s much easier to be able to have everything integrated together,” she added.

The project follows the start of construction at the nearby Rix Road Integrated Child and Family Centre, which will provide more than 130 kindergarten places.

Local Government Minister Shaun Leane told the Gazette just weeks ago that Officer was in desperate need of more facilities.

“With lots of young families living out this way, it’s very, very important,” he said.

Cardinia Shire Council mayor Brett Owen said he was pleased the project had moved a step closer.

“Council’s significant investment in family and children’s services, including increasing the number of kinder places available, will address the forecast growth in demand and represents our commitment to the future generations of Cardinia Shire,” Cr Owen said. The project will be funded by developer contributions and the Victorian School Building Authority, including $1.6 million from the Victorian Government’s Children’s Facilities Capital Program.

Construction is expected to start in March 2021, with an opening date slated for 2022.