Yarra Ranges Council is delighted with the announcement by the State Government that they will support the redevelopment and relocation of the Mount Dandenong Kindergarten. The support is in addition to Yarra Ranges Council financial contribution.
The preschool was destroyed by the June 9 storm, resulting in its temporary relocation outside of the immediate area to Olinda Primary School.
As part of the storm recovery process, Council has worked in partnership with the State government towards a rebuild back in the Mt Dandenong community to ensure future generations of children have access to quality, local early education. Council is pleased to confirm that the Mt Dandenong Preschool is going to be rebuilt on the Mt Dandenong Primary School site.
'We are delighted with the State Government support to rebuild Mt Dandenong Preschool and that it will be relocated to sit alongside Mt Dandenong Primary School. Not only is the new site safer but it will also provide a positive learning environment for pre-schoolers and strengthen connections in the Mt Dandenong community who, in many respects, are still recovering from the impacts of the June 9 storm,' said Cr Child, Mayor of Yarra Ranges Council.
'We know it has been very hard seeing this much-loved preschool destroyed and that for many, it is a constant reminder of the trauma of the storm so to know Mt Dandenong Preschool will soon have a wonderful new home is very pleasing indeed," said Cr Child.
The State Government's commitment to the redevelopment also provides an opportunity to include a multipurpose community room together with the kindergarten facility that will enable the opportunity for the provision of early years and allied health services, services previously inaccessible within Mount Dandenong and Sassafras. For example, maternal child health services, playgroup spaces, family support allied health and/or mental health services.
'We want to thank the Hon. James Merlino MP, State Member for Monbulk, for this wonderful outcome for the Mt Dandenong community and for his commitment to this hugely important community hub, and also for the ongoing support from officers at the Victorian School Building Authority (VSBA) and Department of Education and Training (DET).'
Quotes attributable to Cr Jim Child, Mayor
