Integrated Learning: St Arnaud Stakeholder Reference Group Begins

In 2022 Northern Grampians Shire Council was selected as one of the first Local Government areas to have the ‘Best Start, Best Life’ reforms rolled out. St Arnaud was identified as needing extra infrastructure to accommodate for increasing kindergarten hours, with new buildings to be granted by the State Government. 

These modular buildings, designated to bolster the roll-out of the “Best Start, Best Life” reforms, are poised to accommodate a total of 66 licensed kindergarten places, facilitating access to quality education for three- and four-year-old children in the region. 

In 2023, the council engaged with the community regarding a suitable site. Council ruled out Market Square and later decided to restart the process to investigate both a future integrated early years’ service and site. As part of its commitment, the council will explore an integrated service model tailored to meet the evolving needs of the St Arnaud community. This underscores the council's commitment to invest in cost-effective, quality early childhood education and care well into the future. 

In line with this commitment to restart the process, the council established a Stakeholder Reference Group (SRG) for the St Arnaud Integrated Early Years Project. Comprising a diverse range of stakeholder representatives, including three community members, this group serves as a vital conduit for community input, ensuring that the project's progress remains informed by the perspectives and insights of those it serves. 

The SRG are scheduled to meet Tuesday 9 April, which marks a key point in the project. The agenda is set to focus on project objectives, including to identify aspirations for a future integrated early years centre. 

“This collaborative approach highlights the council’s commitment to achieving positive outcomes for our youngest St Arnaud residents,” said Mayor of Northern Grampians Shire Council, Cr Rob Haswell.  

The SRG will be briefed on the site selection criteria and timeframes required to enable the new kindergarten buildings to be operational by January 2025. The group will also be briefed on the process of engaging with the community regarding how the council delivers a future integrated early years model. Advice will be sought from the group regarding delivery of 66 new kindergarten places by January 2025 at the Primary School verses engage widely on both the future service model and the site. 

“If the council commit to enabling the new kindergarten buildings to be operational by January 2025, the only site available based on the site selection criteria is the State Primary School. Preliminary selection criteria also indicates that sufficient space can also accommodate a future integrated centre,” said Cr Haswell. 

The SRG will reconvene in the coming weeks to provide their advice, further empowering the council to make informed decisions within the broader framework of the State Government's Best Start, Best Life reforms.  

For further information contact:  

Media & Communications – Lauren Shipman  

E-mail: lauren.shipman@ngshire.vic.gov.au