Tipalea breaks ground on $9 million Howrah childcare centre to meet urgent demand

National property developer Tipalea Partners has commenced construction of the $9 million Glebe Hill Childcare Centre in Howrah, Tasmania a purpose-built, 106-place early learning facility responding to critical childcare shortages in the state’s south-east.

The new centre is located at 21 Commerce Drive, adjacent to Tipalea’s successful Glebe Hill Village shopping centre, which was sold earlier this year. Specialist education contractor Bennett Construction has been appointed to deliver the project, with construction to begin on the 2,400 m² greenfield site in July and completion scheduled for April 2026.

“Glebe Hill Childcare Centre is a highly technical build with high-end finishes and complex acoustic requirements. When complete, it will be a showcase in state-of-the-art early education facilities,” said Jeremy Warren, Director of Bennett Construction.

Bennett Construction, which recently completed the Glenorchy Child and Family Centre north of Hobart, is widely recognised for its expertise in Tasmanian education infrastructure.

“It’s great to see the private sector stepping in to meet demand, especially as public and Catholic education builds have slowed despite rapid population growth in the region,” Mr Warren added.

Tipalea Partners identified a significant undersupply of childcare in Greater Hobart’s south-east following the success of its retail developments across Tasmania.

“With over 1,200 children under five and only five centres offering a total of 356 places, the area is well short of what’s needed. All centres are full, and families are stuck on waiting lists or forced to travel long distances,” said Jack Hunter, Assistant Development Manager at Tipalea Partners.

The new facility has been leased by Green Leaves Early Learning, a premium national provider with more than 65 centres across Australia. Green Leaves is known for its integrated early learning model, including kindergarten/preschool programs, culinary classes, yoga, and sustainability education. The centre is expected to open in May 2026.

Designed by award-winning architects Brown Falconer, Glebe Hill Childcare draws inspiration from the surrounding landscape. Its gabled rooflines and natural materials reflect the residential character of the area, creating a warm, safe and familiar environment that supports early learning and growth.

Tipalea has also embedded public art into the project, continuing its legacy of community engagement seen in its retail developments.

“Our design team has created ‘I Hear You’ a bright, interactive sculpture inspired by global public art. It invites playful communication between children and enhances the outdoor learning experience,” Mr Hunter said.

“We saw an opportunity to raise the bar for early childhood infrastructure — this is not just a childcare centre, it’s a thoughtfully designed environment that prioritises learning, creativity and connection.”

Tipalea has been investing in Tasmania for over 15 years. Glebe Hill Childcare is the group’s seventh Tasmanian project, complementing other active developments including the $50 million Spring Farm Village in Kingston and Stony Rise Village in Devonport.

Across Australia, Tipalea has delivered successful neighbourhood centres in Mackay (QLD), Pimpama (QLD), Muswellbrook (NSW), Launceston (TAS) and Hobart (TAS).  

Read more about Tipalea here.