Parents of young babies will have access to more support as Wendouree Children's Centre expands with two new maternal and child health consulting rooms to be added to the busy service.
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Wendouree MP Juliana Addison, mayor Samantha McIntosh and local councillors visited the site on Friday to turn the first sod of the building project.
The new facility will cost $560,000 with the state government investing $350,000 and the City of Ballarat contributing the remainder.
"I know this upgrade will be extremely important, given the special place this kinder has in the heart of the Wendouree community," Ms Addison said.
"This project will create a one-stop shop for families in Wendouree for both childcare and health care services, giving our children the best possible start in life."
Ballarat's rapidly growing population, largely driven by young families, is putting pressure on existing early childhood services.
Council has run a trial offering maternal and child health services at the site since February last year, and with strong demand has decided to build permanent maternal and child health rooms, and a dedicated waiting area, at the Norman Street site.
"This expansion supports the City of Ballarat Council Plan objectives to provide inclusive and accessible public spaces, quality services, and opportunities for the community to participate, feel safe and be active and healthy," said mayor Samantha McIntosh said.
"Furthermore, it meets the Municipal Early Years Plan's strategic priority for healthy children and thriving families by working in partnership to create a community where all families' physical, emotional and social wellbeing are cared for."
The building project is expected to be finished by March.
The Maternal and Child Health service at Wendouree joins the centre's long day care and kindergarten services, and comes amid an expansion of council's early childhood centres with a recently completed $1.25 million expansion of the CBD's Girrabanya Children's Service.
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