District childcare woes continue

Member for Mallee Anne Webster said she understood and appreciated the frustration of Murtoa district and broader Yarriambiack shire residents trying to cope with inadequate childcare services.

Dr Webster, who visited Murtoa on Monday to discuss childcare issues with residents, said she was continuing to lobby for improvements.

But she said competition for childcare funding at a Commonwealth level was considerable.

“I have fought very hard for this funding and the money allocated for this round is competitive,” she said.

“Murtoa will be competing with other districts such as Edenhope and Birchip. I hope it’s a smooth and successful process for Murtoa because they shouldn’t miss out on the funding.”

Dr Webster, who ran a welfare charity before becoming a federal minister, said the process of applying for grants was frustrating.

However, she added there needed to be allocated procedures to protect taxpayers’ money.

“If the government simply started handing out loads of money anywhere, we would not impress the taxpayers who would be flipping the bill,” Dr Webster said.

She said the budget would include $19.4-million to fund up to 20 new services in disadvantaged regional and remote areas that lacked suitable childcare.

Dr Webster said she had been advocating within the Coalition government and had spoken with Yarriambiack Shire Council officials about the childcare issue in the shire.

Yarriambiack mayor Kylie Zanker praised Dr Webster for supporting the municipality.

She said as mayor she was passionate about creating more childcare facilities in the municipality. Cr Zanker said she appreciated Dr Webster’s effort in battling the bureaucracy of Canberra.

“I do feel for her – it’s a challenging time and there are so many communities that need funding and we do appreciate her advocacy for Yarriambiack,” she said.

Long wait

Cr Zanker said in areas in Melbourne the wait time to get into childcare facilities was quicker in comparison with places such as Murtoa and Rupanyup.

“There are quite a few parents who drive their children to Horsham for childcare, and they are happy to drive the distance. But the waiting-list time is extremely long,” she said.

Cr Zanker said the lack of childcare facilities had economic impacts on the region.

“An example was the hospital needed nurses when there was an extreme outbreak of COVID-19. The nurses couldn’t work because they were unable to get their kids into childcare,” she said.

Cr Zanker said she hoped Dr Webster’s government would match the $400,000 funding the council was willing to spend to deal with the issue.

“I hope she can match our funding, but honestly, I hope she gives us more. We want to create buildings that can last for generations,” she said.

A Murtoa farmer, meanwhile, has expressed his frustrations dealing with the Federal Government to improve childcare facilities in Murtoa and doubted Dr Webster’s influence in negotiating for more Wimmera childcare services.

John Hamilton said Yarriambiack Shire Council leaders had surveyed Murtoa residents and found there were 27 families searching for childcare spots.

He said Murtoa residents had identified and raised concerns about childcare services three years ago and he and his wife had made ‘sacrifices’ to make sure their sons received appropriate care.

“We have to drive to Horsham and then back to Murtoa. It takes two hours of travel,” he said.

Mr Hamilton said Murtoa presented housing and development opportunities but a lack of services such as appropriate childcare was a major stumbling block.

He said Murtoa had more affordable housing compared with other areas of the Wimmera, such as Horsham.

He stressed if there were not improved childcare services in Murtoa there would be an unhealthy population shift.

“I know there are 24 kids in my son’s kindergarten year, which is huge for a small town like Murtoa,” he said.

“We have schools and affordable housing; however, it is difficult if you don’t have the facilities such as childcare.”