Barunga West Council takes the lead of childcare desert advocacy project 

South Australia’s Barunga West Council is set to host the official launch of the Regional Childcare Desert Advocacy Project (RCDAP),an initiative aimed at addressing the critical shortage of early childhood education and care (ECEC) services in the north and west of South Australia.

To be held 4 March 2025 from 6pm to 7:30pm at the Port Broughton foreshore, the event aims to bring national attention to ECEC accessibility issues in rural areas, and has been spearheaded by a coalition of 23 regional SA councils and supported by national advocacy organisations, including The Parenthood and Thrive by Five.

At the core of the initiative is a drive to secure policy changes and funding commitments to improve ECEC services, with the launch event in Port Broughton to underscore the urgent need for government intervention to alleviate the challenges faced by families and businesses in ECEC-deficient communities.

South Australia’s Grey electorate has been identified by the Mitchell Institute as having the worst ECEC accessibility in the country, with a 2022 Demand Survey for Barunga West revealing an average need for 48 long day care places, peaking at 52 in 2024, along with a growing demand for 43 out-of-school-hours care (OSHC) places. 

Almost 74 per cent of surveyed parents indicated they would either enter the workforce or increase their work hours if suitable ECEC services were available, and for families looking to relocate to the region, a lack of ECEC was identified as a deterrent, something which is impacting local economic growth and workforce availability.

The launch event will serve as a platform for regional advocacy, with invitations extended to political candidates contesting the Grey electorate in the upcoming federal election. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage with local leaders about the challenges and potential solutions surrounding ECEC access.

“The lack of childcare is not just a social concern – it has significant economic repercussions,” Interim  Barunga West Council CEO Paul Simpson said.

“Without accessible childcare, workforce participation declines, and regional development is stifled. This launch event is a crucial step in amplifying our community’s needs and advocating for meaningful government intervention.”

Event Details:

• Date: Tuesday, 4 March 2025
• Time: 6pm– 7:30pm
• Location: Port Broughton Foreshore
• Entry: Free and open to the public