Thursday 27 July 2023
NEW KINDERS ONE STEP CLOSER THANKS TO PLANNING GRANTS
The Andrews Labor Government is bringing 19 more kinders to life in growing areas of Victoria, with a new round of grants supporting planning for vital kindergarten building projects across northern Victoria.
Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes announced Greater Shepparton City Council and Murrindindi Shire Council have each been successful with a $150,000 Building Blocks Planning Grant for kindergarten service providers to plan, design and carry-out pre-construction work on kindergarten building projects across Greater Shepparton and Murrindindi Shire.
Planning funding supports a wide range of essential pre-construction activity like project management, architecture and design planning, soil testing, environmental sustainability assessments and feasibility studies to ensure the best for the local community.
Helping prepare for and construct new Early Childhood infrastructure is a key part of the Labor Government’s rollout of free three- and four-year-old kinder across the Goulburn valley to ensure all Victorian children get the best start to life.
Through our nation-leading $14 billion Best Start, Best Life reforms, the Labor Government is transforming early childhood education to help children thrive, save families money and support parents – especially women – to return to work or study if they choose.
The Victorian Budget 2023/24 has made it easier for local councils and kindergarten service providers to apply for grants in the Building Blocks Capacity Building and Planning streams, so they can better plan for and meet demand for kindergarten as Victoria grows.
Applications for Building Blocks Planning grants of up to $150,000 are now accepted year-round – making it quicker and easier for eligible organisations in Greater Shepparton to apply for funding that supports planning for new and expanded kinders.
The Building Blocks grants program also offers significantly increased Capacity Building grants of up to $4.5 million for new integrated children’s centres, $4 million for new early learning centres and $1 million for expansion projects – helping to build the new and expanded kinders Victoria’s littlest learners need, right across the state.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Early Childhood and Pre-Prep Ingrid Stitt
“We’re delivering unprecedented investment in early childhood services across Victoria to expand access to early education and help our children learn, grow and thrive.”
Quote attributable to Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes
“These grants will help eligible organisations in Greater Shepparton City Council and Murrindindi Shire Council plan projects that increase access to kindergarten for local families – and provide the funding to deliver the projects as the community grows.”
