Camperdown Pre-school had been slated for a first-time annual rent of $1250 (subsidised to $527), however, Corangamite Shire councillors voted cut rent to $104 – the minimum required under the shire’s leasing policy.

In making a deputation at a council meeting this week, Camperdown Pre-school Association president Kylie Spokes said introducing rent on the building, which is home to the town’s kindergarten, playgroup and maternal and child health service, set a dangerous precedent.

“We’re very, very concerned about the future of this rent, that if we take it now at $1250, what the rent will be next time our licence use agreement is up for negotiation, that’s really our key concern,” she said.

“It’s not a large amount of money, but it’s the precedent that it will set.”

Ms Spokes said the committee was made up of volunteers.

“We do everything – we solve problems, we fund-raise, we do the policies, we do enrollments, we set the budgets… we plan and implement improvements and we source and manage the staff,” she said.

“We’ve done many, many improvements to the building over the years… we’ve put in a new kitchen, new offices, storerooms, we’ve got solar panels… airconditioning and we’ve got new shade structures. We’re currently in the midst of putting in a new garden in the front of the kindergarten, which we estimate will be at a cost of about $20,000.

“Our question is, if we’re paying the shire to be our landlord, if we’re paying rent is everything that is going to be done to the kinder going to be paid for by the shire? I don’t think this is going to happen.”

Facilities and recreation manager Jarrod Woff said the rental fee was designed to support ongoing maintenance of the Campbell Street building and future capital investment.

However, councillor Ruth Gstrein said the group was being penalised simply because it wasn’t council run.

“Our other pre-schools throughout the shire... enjoy their premises rent free because they are managed by council. Just because this community chooses to remain independent of council, they’re being penalised,” she said.

“Where is the acknowledgment of the substantial dollars already spent on capital and maintenance? And why are the families of Camperdown Pre-school being penalised?”

Cr Wayne Oakes said Ms Spokes’ argument had changed his mind on the issue.

“I was initially very much in favour of the motion as it stood, it just goes to show the value of people taking the opportunity to make presentations to council,” he said.

“I can only attest to the amount of dedication the parents show those children.”