Opening its doors in January, the $2.3 million Laverton Community Children’s Centre represents a significant investment into quality children’s services by Hobsons Bay City Council, the Victorian Department of Human Services and the Laverton Community Centre. Operating as a dynamic children’s services hub, the facility offers 75 placements for long day care, a 26 place four year old kindergarten, occasional care, a toy library and family support services.
The centre incorporates a wide range of environmentally sustainable elements, including evaporative cooling and hydronic heating systems which use less energy and gas, energy saving lighting, the use of solar panels, water tanks being used to capture rain water and collect storm water to use for flushing toilets and irrigation, waterless urinals, a high ceiling design, and the use of a number of windows for cross ventilation. The design of the centre also provides good access for people with disabilities or mobility issues, and parents with prams.
The children’s centre is a wonderful example of Council, the State Government and the community working together for the good of local neighbourhoods.
Council allocated $1.5 million towards the centre, in partnership with the Department of Human Services and the Laverton Community Centre who contributed $500,000 and $300,000 respectively.
The centre was a key recommendation of the Council’s Municipal Early Years Plan, which sets the direction for children’s facilities in Hobsons Bay.
