That is one of the key messages NSW Member for Murray Helen Dalton is championing in Parliament this month, through a new notice of motion.
In it, she demands the NSW Government enhance its immediate and longer term options to improve childcare access for NSW families - but specifically in rural and regional areas.
“I move that this house, one, recognises the childcare drought, which is gripping regional NSW leaving families stranded and forcing parents, usually mothers, out of the workforce,” she said in moving her motion.
“Two, acknowledges that the government’s under supplied areas list does not reflect the reality.
“And three, demands that the government provides emergency and then proper permanent funding of new childcare centres to help end the childcare drought that is currently destroying regional Australian families.”
Mrs Dalton’s notice of motion comes at a critical time for all communities facing childcare shortages, and particularly Deniliquin.
Last week, Edward River Council and River Region Early Education flagged a partnership to have a new 110-place childcare centre built in Deniliquin.
Council will investigate entering a peppercorn lease agreement with RREE to use Perrin Park at the corner of Macauley and Poinctiers Sts for the facility.
It will also support RREE in their efforts to gain funding for the facility, which has already been pledged $1 million through efforts by ERC and Mrs Dalton previously.
“Edward River Council has identified childcare access as the number one community priority, with more than 300 children currently on local wait lists, representing more than 70 per cent of children aged 0-5 without access to formal care,” Mrs Dalton highlighted.
“I secured a $1 million dollar pledge from Origin Energy to contribute to a childcare centre, but further government and industry contributions are desperately needed to get this job done.”
The funding from Origin Energy is part of $5 million pledged to the Edward River Region under the community partnerships agreement for the Yanco Delta Windfarm project.
The funding is reliant on remaining approvals and a green light for construction of the wind farm.
Mrs Dalton’s opportunity to formally introduce her bill and give a first reading had not been presented in Parliament at the time of going to print yesterday.
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