By Molly Magennis
The state government will partner with Hobsons Bay council to provide families in the area with more kindergarten options.
The announcement was made by Early Childhood Minister Ingrid Stitt on March 22, with the government set to co-contribute up to $5.8 million for three new kindergartens as part of the Building Blocks Partnership.
The first stage of the partnership will see an extra 168 funded kindergarten places delivered, which will be operational by 2025. These projects will be supported in Newport, Altona and Seabrook.
There will also be in-principle support for a further state government contribution of up to $2 million for one more new kindergarten in Hobsons Bay, which is set to be delivered from 2026.
In total, the projects will deliver more than 270 kindergarten places in total by 2029.
Ms Stitt said: “We know how important it is to give our kids the best possible start, which is why we’re backing even more Building Blocks partnerships to support the successful roll-out of our landmark Three-Year-Old Kinder.”
The two MP’s that cover the Hobsons Bay area, Member for Williamstown Melissa Horne and Member for Altona Jill Hennessy agreed that the projects are exciting news for the municipality.
“It’s exciting to be rolling out the third Building Blocks partnership – this time in Hobsons Bay – delivering more first-class learning facilities for families in Melbourne’s booming southwest,” said Ms Horne.
“Education is at the heart of our agenda for Victoria and we’re working to make sure every kid, no matter where they live, has access to the very best learning opportunities,” said Ms Hennessy.
