Gippsland › Latest news › One Gippsland
Free kinder program welcomed for Gippslanders welcomed but infrastructure challenges remain for shire councils
Victoria's free kinder program praised, infrastructure challenges concern regional councils.
The Victorian government has committed to an overhaul of early childhood education, under the Best Start Best Life program, which will see kindergarten free across the state for three and four year olds from 2023. While One Gippsland welcomes the government's investment in kindergarten and early childhood education to help address the chronic child care shortages in regional Victoria, ageing or lack of infrastructure remains a significant issue for local government.
One Gippsland welcomes best start policy, but infrastructure costs concern regional councils in providing early learning services
Funding challenges ahead
Additionally, the patchwork of asset ownership in many areas means that local governments may only own a percentage of the facilities but are expected to plan for upgrades to buildings that they do not own.
One Gippsland notes the Victorian government's funding allocation for planning and forecasting as part of the Best Start initiative. However, the ability to support the program's infrastructure requirements in a rate capped environment remains very difficult for One Gippsland councils. For more information, please visit our Early Learning and Education Policy Position Paper website.
Pictures from One Gippsland website.
Source: http://gippsland.com/
Published by: news@gippsland.com
Community feedback strengthens Wellington's Road Management Plan, highlighting priorities for road upgrades
East Gippsland kids invited to join and send entries for National Water Week poster competition by 12 September 2025
Future Wellington Community feedback shapes draft plans, final input invited before 16 July 2025
Gippsland Water commits to keeping customer bills affordable despite cost of living pressures
Have your say on Latrobe's draft Domestic Animal Management Plan 2026 - 2029 until 29 July 2025
Latrobe City Council endorses new Council Plan and Community Vision 2025-2029 to guide Latrobe's future growth
Wellington Shire Councillors advocate for region's needs at National Local Government Assembly in Canberra on 24 - 27 June 2025
East Gippsland tourism and hospitality masterclass to build sustainable, resilient businesses and grow positive
Southern Rural Water celebrates 30 years of service with modernisation, partnerships and sustainable water
