Desperate for daycare – residents frustrated by recreation centre upgrade

Residents of Augusta, in the Margaret River region of Western Australia have expressed frustration at the news that the Shire of Augusta-Margaret River would be prioritising renovations of a recreation centre over the development of improved early childhood education and care (ECEC) facilities in the area. 

Speaking with local publication The West Australian, Augusta and Districts Community Childcare co-ordinator Jasmine Meagher said discussions with the Shire were ongoing, however a number of residents expressed their concerns on social media after the $8 million recreation centre upgrade plan was confirmed by the Shire of Augusta-Margaret River recently.

A number of residents have been lobbying for up to three years for a new ECEC service with Alicia Driver sharing that funding from the Shire “keeps being approved then knocked back multiple times after the committee has gone above and beyond all the Shire’s requests”. 

Ms Meagher said talks with the Shire involved taking a staged approach to the childcare project.

“We hope council and staff continue to see an investment in childcare facilities as much a priority as the rec centre,” she said.

Councillors have previously backed a call for the South West Development Commission to help develop the Augusta childcare service “through all potential means” and deliver a report back for consideration.

“Council will be required to make a decision later this year once this work has been completed,” Shire Corporate and Community Services Director James Shepherd shared. 

To read the original coverage of this story, please see here.