Minister turns first sod for Browns Plains Early Years Centre

Communities and Youth Minister Lindy Nelson-Carr has today marked the start of construction of a new Browns Plains Early Years Centre, one of four to be built throughout Queensland as part of the government’s visionary $32 million early years initiative.

Ms Nelson-Carr said the state-of-the-art, $3.74 million centre would break new ground as a one-stop-shop for an extensive range of services for families with young children aged up to eight.

She said services would include family day care, playgroups, a toy library, child health and development and parenting support, as well as health screening and access to immunisations and pre and post-natal care.

With construction starting today and due to wrap up in early 2009, the centre is well on track to open mid-year.

Ms Nelson-Carr also announced today that The Benevolent Society, Australia’s first charity, had been successful in its bid to run the centre.

“The organisation has been allocated $1.3 million a year for three years to operate the centre, as well as $250 000 for set-up costs,” she said.

“Working in partnership with other community organisations, its aim is to provide a highly integrated suite of services for local families.”

The Bligh Government has committed $32 million under the Early Years Centre initiative to establish four Early Years Centres in priority locations across Queensland – at Browns Plains, Caboolture, Nerang and in Cairns.

“We understand how vitally important the early years are for our children and our vision is to improve access to prevention and early intervention services, to ensure a brighter future for generations to come.

“This new centre is a critical part of this vision, offering young families access to child and family health, family support, education and care services from the one convenient location.”

The Benevolent Society Chief Executive Officer, Richard Spencer, said he was excited about the government’s approach to invest in early childhood as research shows it reaps the greatest return over the long run, both for the individual child and the community as a whole.

“We’re thrilled to be chosen to operate our second Early Years Centre in Queensland and look forward to working with the Browns Plains community and organisations to help give kids a great start in life, “ he said.


The Early Years Centre will be co-located with Queensland Health’s new health precinct – the Browns Plains Ambulatory and Community Care Centre – at Wineglass Drive.

In 2009, an additional $180 000 a year will also be made available as part of the Early Years Centre initiative to operate two satellite centres to extend coverage in the catchment area, including $10 ,000 to upgrade site locations.

Media Contact: Chris Taylor 0419 710 874