Katanning Early Childhood Hub gets $536,000 funding boost thanks to Lotterywest

Katanning Early Childhood Hub is one step closer to completion thanks to a West Australian Government funding boost of more than $536,000. 

The funding is courtesy of a Lotterywest grant made to the Shire of Katanning, presented late last month by Agricultural Region MLC Shelley Payne. 

Concept designs for the Early Childhood Hub, a $7.2 million project, were made public in March, outlining a space which integrates three essential facilities – an early childhood education and care (ECEC) service, community and child health offices, and a family centre – onto a vacant site opposite Katanning Primary School. 

Lotterywest funding will be used for the family centre, with the Council actively seeking the remaining $1.2 million needed to complete the building. The ECEC portion of the build, along with the community hub, is fully funded, with the majority of funds being provided by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development.

The family centre is expected to consist of a central hall, which can hold events with up to 150 people with a secure playground located on the north-eastern side of the building and storage inside for local playgroups.

Shire of Katanning deputy president John Goodheart said the Hub was an exciting opportunity for the Shire, which had “taken a while” to come to fruition, but which would make a huge impact on the community. 

Pauline Anyon, Early Years Initiative senior community engagement officer agreed, saying the hub is more than just bricks and mortar, instead representing opportunities for families to access services in a modern, safe and accessible environment. 

Construction of the space is expected to begin in 2023. For local media coverage please see here.