Moyne Shire Council will be presented with a plan to extend the building towards the Atkinson Street car parking area in a project estimated to cost $475,000.

The state government has already allocated $304,000 for an upgrade of the centre after approving earlier plans to shift the kindergarten into an existing meeting room. This would have allowed the kindergarten to be converted into an extra childcare area.

The shire was also expected to contribute $100,000 to the project.

But a recent review of the facilities and a survey of families has shown a more flexible option is required to cater for expected demand in the future.

In a report to tomorrow’s monthly council meeting, officers say an extension to the building would allow a new room to be built that could be put to use as either a childcare or kindergarten room, depending on the need at the time.

They say while demand for childcare places is an issue, a broader problem is that workforce participation is being undermined because of the limited options available.

“(This) has the potential to adversely impact existing businesses and services in Port Fairy, as well as detracting from the livability of the township,” the report states.

“The lack of childcare services in Port Fairy and district may discourage population growth in Port Fairy and district as younger families elect to reside where access to childcare services is more assured.”

The $3.7 million community services centre, which opened in 2011, caters for 108 children in kindergarten and childcare programs. Records from May show there were 62 children on the waiting list for childcare.

The option being presented to council means the building would be extended onto the existing footpath and car parking area, requiring negotiations with the Crown to purchase extra land.

Council has been asked to approve the revised option and increase its share of funding to $171,000 to allow it to go ahead.

The new room would cater for an additional 20 children and allow for long-term growth in childcare or kindergarten services. 

The proposal also means the existing meeting room would be retained for community use, including council meetings and workshops.

Officers expect the new room would boost staff numbers from about eight full-time staff to about 13 and increase fee income from $589,000 in the current financial year to an estimated $1.14 million in 2016-17. The shire expects the project would not disrupt existing services and could be completed by December next year.