Lockyer Valley council to sell off Gatton childcare centre after more than 30 years
A council-run and oversubscribed Gatton childcare centre that is ripe for an expansion could be sold off following a vote by councillors.
Gatton
Don't miss out on the headlines from Gatton. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The Lockyer Valley Regional Council will sell off a Gatton childcare centre that was first started by the local government more than 30 years.
Councillors voted at this week’s meeting to launch a tender into the sale of the centre on the corner of Dennis Minson Drive and Lake Apex Drive in Gatton.
The facility was established by the then-Gatton Shire Council in 1989 to meet a growing demand for childcare services in the town.
LVRC chief executive Ian Church said the tender should determine whether the centre, which was council owned and operated, could be sold without any changes to service.
“There will be no adverse changes to enrolments, and staff salaries, wages and other entitlements will continue to accrue and be paid as normal during this time,” he said.
With a current waitlist and close to full occupancy, Mr Church said the 59-place centre could be expanded, but council did not have the funding available to do so.
He said a sale had the potential to benefit working parents, ratepayers and staff.
“A dedicated childcare business could use private capital to expand, if beneficial to the business, and be able to respond quickly to any changing needs of the business,” Mr Church said.
“This transition would also enable the centre to be operated by a private sector entity that specialises in childcare operations without the additional regulatory constraints imposed on public sector entities.
“It would also allow council to focus its energy on its core business.”
Mr Church said families had been informed of the council’s intentions last week.
“Our priority remains the children, families and staff at the centre, and we are committed to making any transition to a credible new owner-operator as smooth as possible,” he said.
The open tender process is expected to start in March with the aim of completing it by June.
More Coverage
Originally published as Lockyer Valley council to sell off Gatton childcare centre after more than 30 years
Fluoride would cost Qld councils less than $5 per person
It costs local councils less than the price of a cup of coffee per resident to fluoridate the water supply for a whole year, new analysis has revealed.
Watch: Little girl learns to walk within days after years of heartache
A little girl living in a North Qld mining town and struggling with cerebral palsy took her first steps within just days thanks to state-of-the-art treatment in SEQ. Now, her incredible therapists are hitting the road to help other families.