Development along truck route approved by Maribyrnong Council

Aug 02, 2019

Save

A childcare development, co-owned and operated by a school principal and located along a major truck route, has been approved by Maribyrnong Council, in a bid to address “a gaping hole in childcare services” in Maribyrnong city, The Herald Sun has reported.

The development, to be located in Kingsville, an inner western suburb of Melbourne, Victoria, will be located at 248-252 Somerville Rd, educating and caring for 90 children each day. The Sun reports that the centre will be co-owned and operated by school principal Alison Cowdrey, who spoke at the council’s development meeting on Tuesday night.

Because of the location of the centre, said to cost upwards of $2 million to construct, a self monitoring air quality indicator will need to be installed. This may be a temporary inclusion, The Sun noted, as the Victorian State Government will introduce a 24- hour truck ban along Somerville Rd from Geelong Rd to Whitehall St when the West Gate Tunnel opens in 2022 to ensure trucks use the freeway.

Other conditions imposed on the build include a minimum of eight bicycle spaces, no more than 90 children on the premises at one time, and trees of at least 2m must be planted.

Ms Cowdrey is said to have told the meeting she had lived experience of managing the challenge of securing childcare so that she could return to work following parental leave, and of having to use childcare options in Melbourne city, due to a lack of local options.

She cited extensive waiting periods for childcare in the area, extending up to 12 months in some cases. According to Ms Cowdry, the local area is undersupplied, with one childcare centre for every 11 children in the area.

Councillors thanked Ms Cowdrey for ensuring her proposal met with objections previously raised, and for playing a role in addressing the “desperate shortage” of childcare in the area. To read the full coverage of this story, as created by The Herald Sun, please see here.

Don’t miss a thing

NSW Office of the Children’s Guardian releases Child Safe checklist for parents and carers

Families touring early childhood services, enrolling children in sport or attending community programs often rely on first impressions to judge whether a setting feels safe. To support more informed decision-making, the NSW Office of the Children’s Guardian (OCG) has published a one-page “Child Safe checklist for parents and carers” designed to help families observe child safety indicators and ask practical questions when visiting child-related organisations.

OSHC provider fined following child safety breaches

A Queensland outside school hours care (OSHC) provider has been fined $50,000 after pleading guilty to multiple breaches of the Education and Care Services National Law and Regulations relating to supervision, child protection and notification failures.

Preschool enrolment target met as Closing the Gap statement tabled

The Federal Government has tabled its annual Closing the Gap statement, confirming that the national target for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children enrolled in preschool in the year before full-time school has been met.

Report on Government Services 2026: a snapshot of Australian education and training

The Productivity Commission has released the Report on Government Services 2026, providing a detailed overview of the equity, effectiveness and efficiency of government services across Australia.

Male educators in early childhood: renewed debate highlights deeper workforce questions

A recent article published by Education Daily has reignited national discussion about the need for more male teachers across Australia. While much of the public commentary focuses on primary and secondary schooling, the gender imbalance is even more pronounced in early childhood education and care (ECEC).

NSW Office of the Children’s Guardian releases Child Safe checklist for parents and carers

OSHC provider fined following child safety breaches

Preschool enrolment target met as Closing the Gap statement tabled

Report on Government Services 2026: a snapshot of Australian education and training

The Productivity Commission has released the Report on Government Services 2026, providing a detailed overview of the equity, effectiveness and efficiency of government services across Australia.

Male educators in early childhood: renewed debate highlights deeper workforce questions

Don’t miss a thing

NSW Office of the Children’s Guardian releases Child Safe checklist for parents and carers

NSW Office of the Children’s Guardian releases Child Safe checklist for parents and carers

OSHC provider fined following child safety breaches

Understanding Children

Affordability & Accessibility

Preschool enrolment target met as Closing the Gap statement tabled

Report on Government Services 2026: a snapshot of Australian education and training

Male educators in early childhood: renewed debate highlights deeper workforce questions

Inclusion under the National Quality Framework: what it means for services

Affordability & Accessibility

$13 million investment to expand early learning access in Canberra’s Molonglo Valley

National child safety reforms: register now for the online information session on 20 February

Free child protection reflection resource released by CELA to support educators

Fiona Alston

Feb 12, 2026

Development along truck route approved by Maribyrnong Council

A childcare development, co-owned and operated by a school principal and located along a major truck route, has been approved by Maribyrnong Council, in a bid to address “a gaping hole in childcare services” in Maribyrnong city, The Herald Sun has reported.

Don’t miss a thing

Related topics

Related Articles

NSW Office of the Children’s Guardian releases Child Safe checklist for parents and carers

OSHC provider fined following child safety breaches

Preschool enrolment target met as Closing the Gap statement tabled

Report on Government Services 2026: a snapshot of Australian education and training

Male educators in early childhood: renewed debate highlights deeper workforce questions

Related Articles

NSW Office of the Children’s Guardian releases Child Safe checklist for parents and carers

OSHC provider fined following child safety breaches

Preschool enrolment target met as Closing the Gap statement tabled

Report on Government Services 2026: a snapshot of Australian education and training

Male educators in early childhood: renewed debate highlights deeper workforce questions

Don’t miss a thing

Related Articles

NSW Office of the Children’s Guardian releases Child Safe checklist for parents and carers

OSHC provider fined following child safety breaches

Preschool enrolment target met as Closing the Gap statement tabled

Report on Government Services 2026: a snapshot of Australian education and training

Male educators in early childhood: renewed debate highlights deeper workforce questions

Inclusion under the National Quality Framework: what it means for services

$13 million investment to expand early learning access in Canberra’s Molonglo Valley

National child safety reforms: register now for the online information session on 20 February

Free child protection reflection resource released by CELA to support educators

Keep Exploring