Parra News 26 January 2021

LOCAL NEWS
Childcare concerns grow
Under fire Cumberland City Council defends recent childcare centre sell-off
NICOLA BARTON
A
financially stricken Cumberland
City Council’s decision to sell-off
its childcare centres has been met
with great opposition, as concerns for
affordability and job security flow.
Late last year the council passed a motion
with the casting vote of the Mayor to begin
a tender process for an external provider
to manage its long daycare services.
That tender process is now underway,
however those included aren’t not-forprofit
providers.
Since the decision was made, local
childcare educators, families and MPs
have voiced their concerns, particularly
for the flow-on financial impact this may
have during an already difficult period for
many.
At the December 16 council meeting,
some Labor and Independent Cumberland
councillors moved to have the tender
process deferred, however that was shut
down, again with the casting vote of the
Mayor.
Granville MP Julia Finn has been in
discussions with concerned residents
Granville MP Julia Finn is very concerned. Photo: Melissa Stevens.
impacted by the change and is pleading
for the council to reconsider its decision.
“Council’s decision will affect hundreds
of parents and families in my electorate of
Granville, including many frontline and
healthcare workers,” she said.
“I fear the closures will mean that many
working parents will have to withdraw
from the workforce.
“Without local not-for-profit services,
local prices would be expected to rise and
especially affect those families least able
to afford higher fees.”
Cumberland City Council General
Manager, Hamish McNulty, defended
the changes and said there is a need to
reduce the cost of education and childcare
services, which is paid for by all Cumberland
City ratepayers.
“We have a responsibility to every ratepayer
in Cumberland City to ensure our
services are delivered in the most costeffective
way possible,” he said.
“Council’s financial situation is wellknown
and there is currently a high level
of subsidy for these services, with them
running at a significant loss of millions of
dollars each year.
“We have been talking to the market to
determine the most efficient operating
model for Council-run childcare services
and to determine whether interested
parties have the capacity to deliver these
services to a better standard than we
currently do, and in a way that is more
financially sustainable than the current
model.”
Council will retain ownership of the
sites and buildings which provide these
services.
Advantage Childcare Services, Lighthouse
Childcare and The Infants Home
Child and Family Services have been
announced as the potential external
providers.
An outcome on the select tender process
is expected in the first half of this year.
parra news » Tuesday, January 26, 2021
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