Funding boost for Indigenous child care centres

Five child care centres in four remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities across far north Queensland are to receive a significant financial boost

Communities Minister Warren Pitt said $903,929 had been allocated to upgrade existing infrastructure at centres at Mornington Island, Umagico, Coen and New Mapoon.

“The infrastructure improvement will enable the five child care centres to comply with building standards that are now part of the legislative requirements,” Mr Pitt said.

“The funding will ensure that these child care centres can reach the required standards by August next year so that they can continue to operate.

“It will also mean the child care centres will be able to offer enhanced safety for young Queenslanders in child care.”

The centres receiving funding are:

• Mornington Island One Stop Shop, run by Mornington Shire Council ($475,000)
• New Mapoon Children’s Activity Centre, run by the Nai-Beguta Agama Aboriginal Corporation ($199,916)
• Umagico Day Care Centre ($109,356) and AKA Tessie Piccanini Centre ($91,000), both run by Umagico Aboriginal Shire Council
• Coen Limited Hours Care, run by Coen Kindergarten Association ($28,657).

Member for Cook Jason O’Brien said the Queensland Government was committed to improving building standards across all child care centres in the State, including those in remote Indigenous communities.

“We have, and will continue to offer support to existing services that need funding or other assistance in order to meet building requirements,” he said.

“In particular, we are committed to providing targeted funding to child care responses that meet the changing and diverse needs of Queensland children and families, especially those living in rural, remote and indigenous communities.”

Media contacts:   Minister’s Office 3235 4280
                                Mr O’Brien’s Office 4051 3849