Moorabool’s baby boom presents an opportunity for ECEC providers

For the second consecutive year Moorabool Shire Council, a semi-rural municipality between Melbourne and Ballarat is experiencing a “baby boom” with 506 babies born over the past 12 months, the highest number on record for the Shire.

 

The number of babies born in the shire over the last 12 months exceeds the previous years’ record by 44 babies – more than the average kindergarten class size – spelling opportunity for early childhood education and care (ECEC) providers in the region and its surrounds. 

 

Maternal and child nurses in the region have seen a 58 per cent increase in births over the past 15 years, reflecting the growing population in the region as well as the post COVID-19 landscape. 

 

“The Maternal and Child Health team has worked exceptionally hard throughout the pandemic. They’ve continued to provide face-to-face services to the community, and ensured families are provided with ongoing wellbeing, parenting, breastfeeding and sleep support, including over the phone or via video calls where required,” said Moorabool Mayor Tom Sullivan.

 

“We thank the team for their outstanding commitment during this time and congratulate all the Moorabool families welcoming new babies,” he added.

 

The record birth numbers, along with the “tree change” moves from Melbourne’s capital, have seen Moorabool Shire’s population grow by 2 per cent every year since 2005 and is forecast to double by 2040.

 

The challenge for Council going forward is to provide high quality services for the growing population, and to work with and advocate to State and Federal Governments to provide adequate services for the growing community, Mayor Sullivan added.