New family centre on the way

City of Casey Mayor Cr Geoff Ablett was joined by Member for Eastern Victoria, Daniel Mulino MLC and Councillors Susan Serey and Rosalie Crestani to turn the first sod to make the start of construction on the new Clyde Creek Family and Community Centre. PiCture: CITY OF CASEY

Works have started on a new $5.66 miilion family and community centre in Clyde North.

City of Casey Mayor Cr Geoff Ablett was joined by Member for Eastern Victoria, Daniel Mulino MLC on Friday 5 October to turn the first sod to mark the start of construction on the Clyde Creek Family and Community Centre in the Ramlegh Estate.

The new centre will include:

• Three kindergarten rooms and outdoor play areas capable of accommodating up to 135 kindergarten places

• Three consulting rooms offering a range of MCH and youth related services

• Large multipurpose community space with integrated kitchen, outdoor courtyard and other community amenities

• Landscaping works, off street car parking and a public art installation Cr Ablett said a new family and community centre was much-needed in the fast-growing Clyde North area.

“As more and more families choose to move to the City of Casey, Council has the challenge of ensuring new communities have the infrastructure needed so they can access important services close to home,” Cr Ablett said.

“To keep up with growth and demand, Council has been committed to delivering a new integrated family and community facility in our growing suburbs each year and the Clyde Creek Family and Community Centre is the latest example of that.

“In 2017-18, more than 500 babies were born to families living in Clyde and Clyde North and more than 2,000 families moved into the area. Currently there’s only one MCH service in the suburb which will be unable to meet community demand in this area.

“This new centre will help ease the pressure on this service, as well as better meet the need for kindergarten and community programs and spaces for Clyde’s growing community,” he said.

The State Government has contributed $1.185m towards the project through the Growing Suburbs Fund, which complements Council’s investment of $4.475m.

“Council thanks the State Government for their contribution, which allows Council to get on with delivering this important facility, which is expected to be completed and ready to open by Term 1, 2020,” Cr Ablett said.

“I’m thrilled to officially celebrate the start of construction on this exciting project and look forward to seeing it come out of the ground over the coming year.”