Naracoorte Child Care

The Hon. R.B. MARTIN (15:08): My question is to the Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order! The Hon. Reggie Martin, can you ask that question again so I can hear it, please?

The Hon. R.B. MARTIN: Absolutely, sir. My question is to the Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development. Will the minister please inform the chamber of the importance of the funding provided to create a new childcare facility in Naracoorte?

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries) (15:08): I thank the honourable member for his question. Accessible child care in regional South Australia is becoming an ever-increasing issue. There is very high demand and need for childcare services that are not currently being met. Naracoorte currently only has two childcare centres, and both have long waiting lists.

Parents have been forced to drive to neighbouring towns sometimes over an hour away just to drop their children off at child care, resulting in much longer days for both the children and the parents. That is why I am so pleased to announce that through the state government's Thriving Regions—Enabling Infrastructure Program, funding of up to $500,000 will be provided to Jrod Pty Ltd towards creating a new early learning centre in Naracoorte, providing space for 60 children.

I had the pleasure, when I was in Naracoorte recently, to meet with Jarryd Dawson of Jrod Pty Ltd, a local business in the South-East region, and also with the hardworking member for MacKillop, Nick McBride. They were both thrilled with the funding announcement, with the member for MacKillop being a strong past advocate to develop further child care in the region.

Jarryd walked us through his vision for the property and the plans for the early learning centre, which eventually may also include facilities for child health services. His vision is to see children have an excellent start in the very important years before commencing formal education, and they will be transforming an unused building in Naracoorte into an early learning childcare centre—a $2 million facility to support local families. The centre is aiming to create a safe, nurturing and stimulating environment, addressing a significant shortfall in the region.

I have previously met with young families of the multicultural community in Naracoorte who were strongly urging assistance with child care in the area so that they could return to the paid labour market. There is a current high demand for migrants to enter South Australia, and opening 60 more spaces will greatly help with the childcare demand.

The Malinauskas Labor government sees the strong need to ensure our regional communities are places that attract and retain families and workers to live. Accessible child care is crucial for many families and supports parents' ability to be in the paid workforce.

The construction and operation of the refurbished childcare centre will lead to increased job opportunities for residents, with the construction phase creating a demand for skilled labourers, contractors and suppliers from the area. Once the centre is operational, it will also require staff, including educators, administrators and support personnel—providing valuable employment opportunities for qualified individuals within the region. The centre will increase business activity and real estate demand, stimulate local services and create long-term investment in the region and community development by attracting younger families and growing the population.

Construction is set to commence in September of this year, and I look forward to seeing the completed project. I am pleased that the Enabling Infrastructure Program is able to support in so many ways across so much of South Australia.