Bega Valley Council’s plan to increase childcare with prime real estate bid

A regional council has revealed ambitious plans to throw millions at a vacant prime real estate plot in a bid to increase childcare places by 50 per cent.

215-217 and 221 – 223 Imlay St, Eden is for sale.

A large parcel of prime development land in a south coast CBD could be snapped up by a regional council in a bid to increase childcare numbers by 50 per cent, as well as upgrade the dated library.

Bega Valley Shire councillor and deputy mayor Mitchell Nadin is calling on his council to bid at an upcoming auction for vacant land at 215-217 and 221 – 223 Imlay St, Eden.

Council documents state the purchase would allow Bega Valley Shire Council to construct a larger childcare service, rebuild their ageing library and construct a community centre in Eden’s CBD.

Mr Nadin could not reveal how much council would be bidding if his motion passes, due to confidentiality reasons, but said ratepayers’ money or money from council’s general fund would not be touched.

“If it results in us needing to use rate money, we won’t go ahead with the plan,” Mr Nadin told this publication.

Bega Valley Shire councillor Mitchell Nadin.

The deputy mayor revealed the money used would instead come from a reserve which was set up when council sold the Merimbula Early Learning Centre in February for $3.3m.

However, he said some government grants could be needed.

“This land is prime real estate in the Eden CBD. It’s in a much better position than the existing Eden Early Learning Centre which is currently in a fire zone and next to a busy highway,” he said.

Mr Nadin said the region needed to double its public childcare spaces to meet the needs of the growing population.

“Currently, we have about 39 spots at the existing centre,” he said.

“That needs to become 80 and we can achieve this in the new location.

215-217 and 221 to 223 Imlay St, Eden has been described as "prime real estate".

“It’s also the perfect spot for a new library and community centre.”

Mr Nadin said the council would be bidding on the land like everyone else.

“We’re not guaranteed the property,” he said.

“A Sydney developer could swoop in and purchase the land, then propose some giant development and not touch it for years, we just don’t know, but we won’t acquire the land if we don’t at least try.”

He also said the land could become a financial win for council.

“It’s large enough to sell a portion of it to developers and we can then use that money toward something else,” he said.

The council will vote on the issue at its ordinary meeting on Tuesday.

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