Local builder to deliver Longreach Childcare Centre expansion by mid May

Longreach Regional Council has signed a contract with Kent Constructions that will see the local builders deliver the highly anticipated expansion to the Longreach Childcare Centre.

The project will double the capacity of the facility and has been part funded by the Australian Government. The planned expansion of the centre will take place within the existing centre footprint, without the need to construct any new buildings. The expansion of the babies and toddlers rooms into existing hallway and office space will increase the area of each room to accommodate a further 28 enrolments to Long Day Care services. In addition to this, upgrades to bathrooms in the outside school hours care room will increase its capacity allowing more space in the kindy and pre-kindy rooms for future growth.

Construction will be executed in three separate stages between the end of January and mid May. Mayor Tony Rayner said securing a local contractor to deliver the works was a good outcome.

“We’re glad we’ve been able to secure a local builder to deliver this project, particularly considering how challenging it is to secure tradespeople at the moment” he said. “It means the project budget, including the commonwealth funding, will deliver the best value to our community and support our economy.

“It also means we can be more flexible about how we phase the construction and have minimal impact on families at the centre.”

George Kent said the project was an exciting one to work on.

“We’re delighted to have won the tender to complete this project here in our home town” he said. “It’s nice to think we’ll be delivering works that will support such an important service and help grow our community.”

The need to expand the centre was underlined earlier this year when Central West Hospital and Health Service advised that a record number of births are due to take place at the Longreach Hospital in the next 12 months. Some 100 babies will be born in Longreach this year, at least half of which will be born to families residing in the Longreach region.

With no comparable child care service available in the community, Council is forecasting a higher than usual increase in demand will occur in 2022. This demand is projected to continue for at least 4-5 years, given many of these children are likely to require care until they commence Primary School.

Saving costs by cleverly maximising existing space, the renovations could create up to 108 extra childcare places and support the employment of up to five additional roles in the medium to long term.