Contractors have been given the green light to proceed with works for a new kindergarten and Maternal and Child Health service in Lancefield, following cultural heritage approvals.
Works paused on the High Street site (next door to the primary school) following an earlier discovery of a cultural artefact on site. Since this time, project manager the Victorian School Building Authority (VSBA) has been working closely with Traditional Owners and Council to take the time to safely assess the site, recently receiving approval to resume works.
Council's Director Community, Maria Weiss, said it was important that the cultural heritage process was not rushed in respect of the artefact found.
"We know how important it is to collaboratively work alongside our First Nations stakeholders and as soon as the discovery was made, it was essential that the VSBA took the time to complete further due diligence," she said.
"Council appreciates the patience of all involved in this process - from land managers and the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation, to current and potential kinder families - and we look forward to opening the new facility to the community next year."
Construction of the new modular building - proposed to be named the Lancefield Children's Centre - is set to resume this month (September 2024), with the centre now forecast for completion by mid-2025.
For more information and updates, visit Council's project page or the VSBA project page.
