Kinder funding blame

Kim Waters
A “DESPERATE” funding plea for a new Barwon Heads kinder has sparked a blame game over responsibility.
The kinder slashed half its 2011 three-year-old places this month after neither major political party agreed to provide funding for a facilities upgrade.
Member for Western Victoria David Koch said the facility was also unable to meet a State Government requirement of 15 hours a week for four-year-old children in the area.
Mr Koch said the kinder had applied for State funding for a new facility but was unsuccessful because a site was not yet secured.
“The building currently occupied by the kindergarten has not been significantly upgraded since the 1960s, it’s land-locked by other buildings,” Mr Koch said.
He called on State Government to support a community push for a new facility at Barwon Heads Primary School.
Minister for Children and Early Childhood Development Maxine Morand said she was “working” with Geelong council but would not commit to a funding promise for the new facility.
“We recognise that there is a growing population in this area and we are exploring site options,” she said.
Barwon Heads Kinder futures committee coordinator Anissa Yttrup said the community was “frustrated” with a lack of progress.
“At the moment we just have to rely on council but we need a straight answer so the community knows what they’re dealing with,” Ms Yttrup said.
Barwon Heads councillor Andy Richards said City of Greater Geelong would fund the majority of the new facility.
“As it stands council will most likely be funding 80 to 90 per cent of the new building,” Cr Richards said.