Guyra ECLC moves a step closer to upgrade with Council approval granted

A new purpose-built and larger Guyra Early Childhood Learning Centre (ECLC) moved a step closer last week, when the September Ordinary Council Meeting approved the site for the facility.

Plans for the facility were unveiled five months ago by Federal Member for New England, Barnaby Joyce, who indicated the project would be supported by $613,000 in funding from the Federal Government, with the remaining $900,000 cost to be picked up by Armidale Regional Council. 

The Council voted to endorse the site, which sits behind the Council administration building, clearing the way for a development application for the facility to be publicly advertised from Wednesday 30 September for a period of 28 days.

The new facility will enable the ECLC to double its maximum number of enrolments, to 58 places in the Long Day Care and Preschool centre and 30 places for before and after school care and vacation care, an increase which Council’s Interim Administrator, Viv May, said will increase the number of local families that can access the centre’s services and strengthen its long-term financial viability.

“Locating the ECLC at that site will be central to creating an educational and community hub in the centre of Guyra, complementing the library, Council’s Civic Administration Building and The Hub community centre,” Mr May said.

The ECLC building will be located at the north of the site, to maximise natural light in the building, minimise energy consumption, locate outdoor play areas away from residential dwellings and minimise noise impacts.

Traffic access to the ECLCwill be via Moredun Street, an option which will enable the centre’s drop-off bay to be located in the centre of the site, next to the building, to assist with traffic flows and keep children away from the road, as well as minimising impact on local residents. 

Mr May said a more detailed traffic study would be undertaken to help finalise the site design and identify recommended road modifications to further assist traffic flows and road safety.

Following a call two months ago for input from the local community, Mr May said results from stakeholder engagement measures and a public survey had been included in the Council meeting report.

To keep up to date with the progress of the new service, please see here.