Council left with kindergarten bill
A new $1.8 million kindergarten is set to open in Trafalgar next term but Baw Baw Shire has been left to fund car parking and internal fit-out costs after a shortfall in state government funds.
Some councillors questioned where the $1.8 million had been spent given the new building was essentially “two portable classrooms joined together.”
Council last week agreed to provide $150,000 for eight additional onsite car parks, entry and exit points and $85,000 to fund the fit-out to enable the facility to be licensed.
The new kindergarten will cater for 66 children in two rooms, more than double the size of the current Trafalgar Kindergarten.
The new kindergarten has been developed on Education Department land in School Rd, adjacent to Trafalgar Primary School.
It is expected the new facility will open for term two.
Officers said this removed council from any responsibility for the project. However, once completed, council will take over the building’s lease (30 years) and be responsible for all ongoing operational and maintenance costs.
Officers said the minimum onsite car spaces required under the planning scheme was 15.
The current Trafalgar kindergarten is next to the town hall and allows for about 30 car parks.
The report to council said officers and the community were concerned about car parking at the new site.
“Council understood that adequate car parks would be provided by the Victorian School Building Authority within the $1.8 million budget. “However, only eight car spaces have been provided.
“With a Council contribution of up to $103,000 a further eight car spaces can be provided onsite, ensuring the minimum car space requirements are met.
“Further work has been requested for the inclusion of separate entry and exit points to the onsite carpark,” the report said.
Officers said council’s infrastructure team estimated an extra 30 on-street car parks could be provided at a cost of $150,000 but this could not be achieved within the timeframe.
Council will refer the cost of additional on-street car parking to its 2020-21 budget.
Officers said the VSBA funding allocation did not allow a fit-out of the building.
“To open a new facility with a sub-standard or ageing fitout is not recommended by officers.
“Officers are concerned at the precedent being set by becoming the tenant of this facility, financially contributing to the car park and making up the financial shortfall in fit-out costs, not only for future kindergartens within the shire but for all municipal councils,” the report said.
Cr Peter Kostos said he would like to see the balance sheet for the kindergarten development.
He said while there was a $1.8 million elections promise, it was just “two portable classrooms joined together” because council was doing the fit-out and carparking.
Cr Darren Wallace said the existing kindergarten was 60 years old and the new kindergarten was long overdue.
While he acknowledged the state government’s $1.8 million funding allocation, he said “you don’t get much for your money these days.”
Cr Wallace said it was disappointing the VSBA didn’t work with council before arriving at the site with portable buildings.
Cr Wallace said the parking was inadequate given parents had to walk their children in o the kindergarten to sign them in and then do the same at the end of the session.
He said the existing building had ample parking and while there was ample room on the new site, only eight car parks were provided.
Cr Michael Leaney said this project was like receiving a gift with strings attached.
Cr Jessica O’Donnell said in her time on council, councillors and staff had gone from wondering where young people would go to kindergarten to now having new facilities on offer.
She acknowledged the work by council officers to “get us to where we are at today.”