Work begins on new children’s centre

Deputy mayor Lara Carli and Western Metropolitan MP Cesar Melhem (Supplied)

Construction has begun on a new children’s and community centre in Mt Atkinson.

The $8.5 million Mt Atkinson Children’s & Community Centre will provide a space for three-and-four-year-old kindergarten, maternal and child health services, and community meetings and activities.

Melton Mayor Goran Kesic said he looked forward to seeing the facility complete.

“Multipurpose centres like this one are very important for supporting our youngest residents thrive in their learning and development,” Cr Kesic said.

“It will be a high-quality facility that will help connect residents in this new community.””

The centre is funded with $2 million from the state government’s Building Blocks Grants and $800,000 from the Growing Suburbs Fund, together with $5.7 million from council.

Melton deputy mayor Lara Carli and Western Metropolitan MP Cesar Melhem turned the first sod on the project last week.

Mr Melhem said he is “delighted work is under way and local families are a step closer to getting the fantastic early learning facilities they deserve.

Early Childhood Minister Ingrid Stitt said: “Creating more places for children to attend kindergarten and ensuring their access to the best facilities across Victoria is vital to ensuring a world-class education in the early years”.

Construction is scheduled to be complete by the end of 2022.

Sarah Oliver